This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: World Building Inspiration  (Read 1102 times)

GeekyBugle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7399
  • Now even more Toxic
World Building Inspiration
« 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.

Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

― George Orwell

Greentongue

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1609
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2022, 01:45:25 PM »
Nice find.

Hellfire

  • Newbie
  • *
  • H
  • Posts: 18
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #2 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.

ForgottenF

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 637
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #3 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.

Chris24601

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • C
  • Posts: 3324
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #4 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.

Shawn Driscoll

  • Role-Play Purist
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2928
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2022, 11:25:36 PM »
So feel free to share stuff.
The Planet Construction Kit, by Mark Rosenfelder.

MeganovaStella

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 300
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2022, 01:08:55 AM »
Xenogears Perfect Works.

Arkansan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1282
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #7 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.

Rob Necronomicon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1451
  • Blee
Re: World Building Inspiration
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2022, 07:26:19 PM »
Nice one!
Attack-minded and dangerously so - W.E. Fairbairn.
youtube shit:www.youtube.com/channel/UCt1l7oq7EmlfLT6UEG8MLeg