World building resources?

[Derfmancher]

Since there are so many long time vets of all flavors of role playing, and all editions, I am curious what you all recommend in terms of learning to build a world. I am indeed considering building a world for my group (although I am not currently GMing). Since I am a player and not a GM at the moment, there is a lot of time to work with. If it matters, the rules of choice will be Pathfinder. However in terms of world creation I thought it best to solicit favorites from everyone that knows the game at hand.

So, any super awesome resources for world building out there? Additionally, any tips? Things you learned while building a campaign world that you wish you knew when you started? Thanks for anything you share!

 

[howandwhy99]

It depends upon what the world represents in terms of game rules. Look at all the Appendices in the AD&D DMG for starters.

Also, check out "A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe" for a whole ton of setting design that was absent before it.

However, the best resources are probably online. Try this out http://www.sfwa.org/2009/08/fantasy-worldbuilding-questions/
Or just do your own searches for worldbuilding

 

[Razjah]

If you have the Adventure Burner for Burning Wheel, the setting building information there is really good. I've used it for Pathfinder games and Savage Worlds games.

Pathfinder's Game Mastery Guide is pretty good for GM advice and it has a bunch of questions to help facilitate world building.

The World section here by Rich Burlew is really interesting.

 

[nijineko]

there was a particular supplement for the old rolemaster system that was one of the best written breakdowns of the things to consider when building a world from the bottom up. i can't recall the exact name anymore.

 

[gweinel]

2nd edition world builder's guidebook is an excellent world building book and i highly recommend it.

 

[Grogg of the North]

I tend to start wherever the adventure starts and build out as necessary. So if the party never goes to the Hooty Howly Woods, there's no reason to tell them about it.

When my wife made her map for her world, she got a huge piece of graph paper and a d8. She rolled to see how the coastline for each landmass went. I'm sure that's more nitty gritty than you were looking for, but its a neat way to do it and I felt like sharing.

 

[Nellisir]

Practice.

Put in everything fun, take out everything boring, and when you've forgotten something, think of something new, or get bored, do it again.

 

[Jester David]

Plugging my own stuff, I'm doing a blog on the subject here:
http://community.wizards.com/the_jester/blog/2012/09/10/building_a_5e_world:_introduction