Comments on: 12 ways to get inspired for world building http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/12-ways-to-get-inspired-for-world-building The D&D Blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:54:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Erica http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/12-ways-to-get-inspired-for-world-building#comment-788 Erica Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:42:37 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/world-creation/12-ways-to-get-inspired-for-world-building#comment-788 I tend to borrow from existing cultures for my overall theme. One of our game worlds is set as the ancient world, with each race being a different ancient culture (elves are greek, halflings are egyptian, etc.). This was easy for me to start, since I have a good working knowledge of ancient history (and I love it) but it taught me a lot about inspiration. I've had whole cities inspired by a picture of a pot, or a myth. Anything can spark an idea. I especially employ wikipedia. Looking up something specific (type lists are especially great) or getting random pages and taking something from them can add kingdoms, towns, and hooks before you know it. Just be sure to have an overall theme so everything seems to mesh. I tend to borrow from existing cultures for my overall theme. One of our game worlds is set as the ancient world, with each race being a different ancient culture (elves are greek, halflings are egyptian, etc.). This was easy for me to start, since I have a good working knowledge of ancient history (and I love it) but it taught me a lot about inspiration. I’ve had whole cities inspired by a picture of a pot, or a myth. Anything can spark an idea.

I especially employ wikipedia. Looking up something specific (type lists are especially great) or getting random pages and taking something from them can add kingdoms, towns, and hooks before you know it. Just be sure to have an overall theme so everything seems to mesh.

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