Guidelines and Brain Dump

Ahoy! As I set out on this worldbuilding adventure, I want to note down some guiding thoughts that I can come back to whenever I feel stuck. This list may change.

Anders's Worldbuilding Manifesto (WIP)

• Keep things simple

• Keep play in mind

• Keep the world contained

• Keep writing when you're uninspired

• It's OK to change things

Among other sources that'll come to light as I go along, I am following the World Anvil course on world building as a framework as a start. Here's the result of the first 5-minute brain dump:

What’s the hook of this setting?

• A swamp full of danger, weird magic, and secrets/treasure to uncover

• Struggle with abandonment, scarcity, ambiguity, and how to make something of yourself when nothing is a given

Why am I creating it?

• I'm creating a world I hope will enable engaging exploration and character growth/experimentation

• I want to enable people to play with uncertainty

• I want to make people experience (and overcome) dread

What genres describe the setting?

• Sword & Sorcery

• Gothic

• Mythic

What is the tone?

• Bleak

• Dark

• Weird

• Independent

• Ambiguous

• Dangerous

• Unknown

• Local/close

• Possibility and potential

• Into the unknown

What do I want my audience to experience?

• Agency and exploration

• Suspense and fear

• A chance to face their own darkness

• Effects on the world/game/outcome based on their choices

What are my inspirations?

• Mountain Realm/Tales Under the Oak (Opens in a new window)

• Skyrim

• The GCN Shadowdark actual play (Opens in a new window)

• Mutazione

• Weird Walk (Opens in a new window)

• Art of Bryn Jones (Opens in a new window)

• Frog wizard art

• Elden Ring

• JP Coovert (Opens in a new window)

• Dolmenwood (haven't played)

• Art and ideas of Map Crow (Opens in a new window)

• Book of Travels (Opens in a new window)

• Conversations with TTRPG friends!

I have this sneaking suspicion I'm missing some key ingredients in the inspirations list, but I have to choose to let it be!

Some next steps I have in mind

• Keep following the World Anvil course

• Look at some gorgeous maps from both ttrpgs and other sources

• Investigate this whole hex map thing

Until next time, mind your step, and watch out for the gondoliers.

— Anders

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