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Pen & Paper Roleplaying Central => Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion => Topic started by: GeekyBugle on September 22, 2022, 11:07:44 AM

Title: World Building Inspiration
Post by: GeekyBugle on September 22, 2022, 11:07:44 AM
I just found about this free magazine called Astrovitae, it ocurred to me we could use a thread about worldbuilding inspiration.

So feel free to share stuff.

The linked video explains and gives an overview of several issues, in the description there's links to the magazine.

Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: Greentongue on September 22, 2022, 01:45:25 PM
Nice find.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: Hellfire on September 25, 2022, 09:22:23 AM
I use themes, for worldbuilding. I start from an idea, any idea, for as wild as it can be, and then work back my way through science to find a way to make it happen. Having a youth heavily invested in scientific subjects like physics and astronomy helps. Then it's time for common sense to make it work as a society. Yeah, I'm morbidly optimistic.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: ForgottenF on September 25, 2022, 05:10:24 PM
I'm big fan of art books for world inspiration.

For fantasy, I find myself repeatedly going back to the "Design Works" artbooks that were published for the Dark Souls games, but looking through the art of the big Fantasy and Sci Fi masters (Frazetta, Michael Whelan, Bruce Pennington, Simon Bisley, etc) is always valuable.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: Chris24601 on September 25, 2022, 05:47:22 PM
First, I pick a system. Then I start picking elements that play to that system’s strengths. Then I brainstorm ways to fit those elements together.

Often times if I don’t have a particular vision, I’ll collaborate with my players using Dawn of Worlds and pick a system based off what I think will work best with the result. We generally lay out ground rules (as GM I get max points every turn instead of rolling; everyone can designate one player race/species that’s not allowed to be made extinct during world creation), but getting input from the players really helps ensure everyone’s got something they’re interested in in the world and has at least some investment in the campaign world.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: Shawn Driscoll on September 25, 2022, 11:25:36 PM
So feel free to share stuff.
The Planet Construction Kit, by Mark Rosenfelder.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: MeganovaStella on September 26, 2022, 01:08:55 AM
Xenogears Perfect Works.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: Arkansan on September 26, 2022, 05:12:49 PM
I keep a massive file of world building inspiration, most of it is random evocative images I have come across, and lists of songs that get me going.
Title: Re: World Building Inspiration
Post by: Rob Necronomicon on September 26, 2022, 07:26:19 PM
Nice one!