Why do you homebrew?

[Knightfall]

Okay, so I know why I do it. I love the creative process of creating worlds, NPCs, maps, and monsters. I like detail and I like to have control over the campaign world's overall design.

So, answer the question, "why do you homebrew?"

Cheers!

KF72

 

[Appleseeth]

I started doing it because I wanted to make a video game world. When that fell apart I started putting together the world for D&D. One that started coming along, I found I had many holes to fill, and I was the only one with dirt. Yes, I know its a terrible metaphor. Anyway, the more I did it, the more fun I had doing it. Sometimes I don't even care if the stuff I make up ever gets used.

Recently I've been doing it to throw my players off, but that is less of an issue in 4e, as no one in my group has memorized the MM yet. Homebrew monsters are the best!

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

At least part of it is for the intellectual exercise. Creating a setting that truly "makes sense" without being boring is an extremely fun task.

 

[Knightfall]

I also enjoy meshing published material into a homebrewed setting. I've "cherry picked" tons of ideas from dozens of 2nd Edition and d20 products for World of Kulan including Bluffside and tons of stuff from Paizo.

I have to admit that finding a place for Cauldron City in the Lands of Harqual was a tough fit, and I had to create a whole new mountain range for that city. It turned out great since it allowed me to incorporate the EN World City Project, Mor's End, from several years ago.

I've "cherry picked" tons of ideas for my homebrew from lots of people here on EN World. Entire cities, organizations, and religions to name a few. It's always fun to reinvent another person's ideas for ones own campaign world. I think that is one of the great strengths of D&D as a game. It allows you to build anything you want regardless of the rules.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I've been working on Tale of the Twin Suns since 1991. It wasn't until 3rd Edition came along that I saw my opportunity to make my world in the image I saw it due to the modularity of tthe system.

I homebrew because I don't get to game (in a group) as often as I'd like and also because the ideas I have are mostly for world building. I'm not sure what my creative outlet would be if D&D wasn't around.

 

[Knightfall]

I've been working on Tale of the Twin Suns since 1991. It wasn't until 3rd Edition came along that I saw my opportunity to make my world in the image I saw it due to the modularity of tthe system.

So is most of your homebrewed material paper written? Or have you transcribed it all to computer?

I homebrew because I don't get to game (in a group) as often as I'd like and also because the ideas I have are mostly for world building. I'm not sure what my creative outlet would be if D&D wasn't around.

That's one of the reasons I do it as well. That and writing fiction for my game world.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

So is most of your homebrewed material paper written? Or have you transcribed it all to computer?

A good portion of it is still filed away. I've made a little progress with getting some of it on my computer. Also some of the material just is relevant anymore, but I refuse to throw it out because the ideas could easily be reinvented when the inspiration strikes.

 

[Knightfall]

A good portion of it is still filed away. I've made a little progress with getting some of it on my computer. Also some of the material just isn't relevant anymore, but I refuse to throw it out because the ideas could easily be reinvented when the inspiration strikes.

Yeah, I'm a lot like that. Just because an idea doesn't work anymore that doesn't mean you can't reinvent it. I did that with the continent I call Triadora. It use to be part of a different world (i.e. Time of Ages). but it didn't stay a part of that world. Now, it'sso embedded into the World of Kulan that I could never take it out.

 

[JoeyD473]

I like use homebrews because I have complete control over everything and don't feel like I am breaking something which I do when I don't use a homebrew