I wasn't sure if I should post this here or in lore, so sorry if this doesn't fit.
Anyway, I'm getting into worldbuilding for a campaign, and I'm just wondering if anyone feels the same about, specifically, the pantheon aspect (and really the planar aspects). I just feel like trying to make a brand new pantheon is pretty daunting, and really anything I do to try and be unique is really not for the betterment of anyone playing the game. Like I could just rename the gods and the plains of existence but trying to build a totally separate framework would just be convoluted. I am definitely going to add, but every time I get the motivation to try and build a new pantheon, the gods of 5e just seem better than mine, lol.
Are there some aspects of the game that you won't word build as well?
I don't worldbuild anything unless the players are interested or it's relevant to the plot. In how many campaigns are even a handful of gods relevant, let alone the whole pantheon? Honestly, I don't even think it's worth worrying about. Our worlds are meant to be games, not encyclopedias.
So, honestly, you can go either way. Unless it matters to the story or the players, the decision isn't all that important. (And yes, for that reason I do end up reusing elements of D&D cosmology, because it's not worth recreating from scratch!)
Yeah, it is easier. I just get frustrated because I get a cool idea for like the planes for example, get halfway though, and realize that the real planes of existence make more sense lol
Which races are present. I feel like it’s important to allow players to use whatever races they choose, not say that it doesn’t exist in my world.
Whether races are available or not does not stop me barring some for players. I always limit player choices at the start of a campaign, race, class availability and sub class.
In terms of the planes and pantheons, it depends on the campaign. If I was running a Nordic themed campaign then I would just use the Norse gods. I have been known to change my demon plane to be run by 4 chaotic deities, war, pestilence, lust and secrets ;). I also once ran a campaign which had just a singular god, and one where there where no gods.
Planes, I change the idea of them, so I make them different worlds, or I might create a multiverse where the different worlds exist. Planar spells become universe moving spells. I might strip the planes away, or merge some.
I have a general idea of stuff and then develop it more ONLY if the players or adventure DIRECTLY relates to it. I also world build with the players so I let them give input into the world via character creation/backstory. Players have great ideas and if they get to creat stuff then they are connected to and invested in the world.
As to pantheon, I picked a bunch of dnd gods and used them, tho I use the same gods for all races (tho different races may have different names for them). It's simple and effective. Similar to critical role/exandria.
I just use an existing pantheon. There's a list of a few different ones in the back of the PHB. Pick one that suits you. Honestly, I wouldn't even re-name them. It makes it much easier for everyone. I know there's some immersion fanatics out there that hate the idea, but Personally I find it more immersion-breaking to have to look through a bunch of notes to remember who the sea god is, than it is to just use Poseidon.
And as far as the planes. I don't even touch them. Unless you are planning on letting the characters do some plane hopping, there's not really a need to even bother with it. Then, if something does come up, you can just invent one on the fly that serves the immediate purpose, and let them expand like that.
Nothing is sacred. Everything must be suited to my aims or needn't exist at all:
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
^^^this^^^ I have been playing this game in one iteration or another since 1977 (44 years for those of you doing the math) 39yrs of that as a DM using the exact same Homebrew Game world that entire time. By now ALL the lore has been folded, spindled, or mutilated in some form or another by now.
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I wasn't sure if I should post this here or in lore, so sorry if this doesn't fit.
Anyway, I'm getting into worldbuilding for a campaign, and I'm just wondering if anyone feels the same about, specifically, the pantheon aspect (and really the planar aspects). I just feel like trying to make a brand new pantheon is pretty daunting, and really anything I do to try and be unique is really not for the betterment of anyone playing the game. Like I could just rename the gods and the plains of existence but trying to build a totally separate framework would just be convoluted. I am definitely going to add, but every time I get the motivation to try and build a new pantheon, the gods of 5e just seem better than mine, lol.
Are there some aspects of the game that you won't word build as well?
hi i like to play dungeons and dragons
Which races are present. I feel like it’s important to allow players to use whatever races they choose, not say that it doesn’t exist in my world.
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
Nothing is sacred. Everything must be suited to my aims or needn't exist at all:
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
I don't worldbuild anything unless the players are interested or it's relevant to the plot. In how many campaigns are even a handful of gods relevant, let alone the whole pantheon? Honestly, I don't even think it's worth worrying about. Our worlds are meant to be games, not encyclopedias.
So, honestly, you can go either way. Unless it matters to the story or the players, the decision isn't all that important. (And yes, for that reason I do end up reusing elements of D&D cosmology, because it's not worth recreating from scratch!)
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
Yeah, it is easier. I just get frustrated because I get a cool idea for like the planes for example, get halfway though, and realize that the real planes of existence make more sense lol
hi i like to play dungeons and dragons
Whether races are available or not does not stop me barring some for players. I always limit player choices at the start of a campaign, race, class availability and sub class.
In terms of the planes and pantheons, it depends on the campaign. If I was running a Nordic themed campaign then I would just use the Norse gods. I have been known to change my demon plane to be run by 4 chaotic deities, war, pestilence, lust and secrets ;). I also once ran a campaign which had just a singular god, and one where there where no gods.
Planes, I change the idea of them, so I make them different worlds, or I might create a multiverse where the different worlds exist. Planar spells become universe moving spells. I might strip the planes away, or merge some.
I have a general idea of stuff and then develop it more ONLY if the players or adventure DIRECTLY relates to it. I also world build with the players so I let them give input into the world via character creation/backstory. Players have great ideas and if they get to creat stuff then they are connected to and invested in the world.
As to pantheon, I picked a bunch of dnd gods and used them, tho I use the same gods for all races (tho different races may have different names for them). It's simple and effective. Similar to critical role/exandria.
I just use an existing pantheon. There's a list of a few different ones in the back of the PHB. Pick one that suits you. Honestly, I wouldn't even re-name them. It makes it much easier for everyone. I know there's some immersion fanatics out there that hate the idea, but Personally I find it more immersion-breaking to have to look through a bunch of notes to remember who the sea god is, than it is to just use Poseidon.
And as far as the planes. I don't even touch them. Unless you are planning on letting the characters do some plane hopping, there's not really a need to even bother with it. Then, if something does come up, you can just invent one on the fly that serves the immediate purpose, and let them expand like that.
^^^this^^^
I have been playing this game in one iteration or another since 1977 (44 years for those of you doing the math) 39yrs of that as a DM using the exact same Homebrew Game world that entire time. By now ALL the lore has been folded, spindled, or mutilated in some form or another by now.