Basically, resuming work on an old homebrew setting and my notes for this one city had two options for unique mysterious-y decoration I've decided I like equally. Weird forum post, I know, but I'm this close to just flipping a coin and I'd rather get an answer based on what others think in case I'm just being dumb and one of them is actually terrible.
If it's a city full of cool magical dwarves and such, I'd say glass shards. If it's a city full of cool magical elves and such, I'd say silver tree roots.
Also . . . what is the purpose of this city within the campaign?
If it's a place where the characters will be challenged and where they may have to fight, I'd say glass shards. If it's a place of healing and divination and such, I'd say silver tree roots.
Everything in a campaign serves a purpose. Scenery serves a purpose. once you know the purpose of the city, you'll know what it's made of.
At the time of writing I thought omitting details would help decide purely on those features but now I see that's a bad idea.
The city is inhabited by a near-equal amount of humans and elves (though empty buildings far outnumber the population), and the purpose within the campaign (as currently planned) is for the players to visit in an attempt to question a known powerful wizard.
If things go well there'll be no fighting but it'll probably happen anyway if the players have a "TTRPG player moment".
At the time of writing I thought omitting details would help decide purely on those features but now I see that's a bad idea.
The city is inhabited by a near-equal amount of humans and elves (though empty buildings far outnumber the population), and the purpose within the campaign (as currently planned) is for the players to visit in an attempt to question a known powerful wizard.
If things go well there'll be no fighting but it'll probably happen anyway if the players have a "TTRPG player moment".
DM: You see an old begger hold out a cup. You can't understand him well, but you assume he wants money.
Crazy Barbarian: I cut off his hand holding the cup.... ROAR!
LOL, I personally like crystal and glass associated with wizarding cities, but I understand the whole "Guardian Tree" concept for elven villages. I would only use the tree idea if there is a purpose, or if I thought it would be fun to wow my table with an aspect that they can interact with. Realize, they will do something to that tree. No table can resist temptation.
Edit: After thinking about it, most tables I have been with would try to grind down the glass or crystals for components and to sell. Players are so fun!
Basically, resuming work on an old homebrew setting and my notes for this one city had two options for unique mysterious-y decoration I've decided I like equally. Weird forum post, I know, but I'm this close to just flipping a coin and I'd rather get an answer based on what others think in case I'm just being dumb and one of them is actually terrible.
It depends . . . who lives there?
If it's a city full of cool magical dwarves and such, I'd say glass shards. If it's a city full of cool magical elves and such, I'd say silver tree roots.
Also . . . what is the purpose of this city within the campaign?
If it's a place where the characters will be challenged and where they may have to fight, I'd say glass shards. If it's a place of healing and divination and such, I'd say silver tree roots.
Everything in a campaign serves a purpose. Scenery serves a purpose. once you know the purpose of the city, you'll know what it's made of.
Anzio Faro. Protector Aasimar light cleric. Lvl 18.
Viktor Gavriil. White dragonborn grave cleric. Lvl 20.
Ikram Sahir ibn-Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad. Brass dragonborn draconic sorcerer Lvl 9. Fire elemental devil.
Wrangler of cats.
At the time of writing I thought omitting details would help decide purely on those features but now I see that's a bad idea.
The city is inhabited by a near-equal amount of humans and elves (though empty buildings far outnumber the population), and the purpose within the campaign (as currently planned) is for the players to visit in an attempt to question a known powerful wizard.
If things go well there'll be no fighting but it'll probably happen anyway if the players have a "TTRPG player moment".
DM: You see an old begger hold out a cup. You can't understand him well, but you assume he wants money.
Crazy Barbarian: I cut off his hand holding the cup.... ROAR!
LOL, I personally like crystal and glass associated with wizarding cities, but I understand the whole "Guardian Tree" concept for elven villages. I would only use the tree idea if there is a purpose, or if I thought it would be fun to wow my table with an aspect that they can interact with. Realize, they will do something to that tree. No table can resist temptation.
Edit: After thinking about it, most tables I have been with would try to grind down the glass or crystals for components and to sell. Players are so fun!
I am not sure what my Spirit Animal is. But whatever that thing is, I am pretty sure it has rabies!
I like silver tree roots better for a part elven city.
I really like D&D, especially Ravenloft, Exandria and the Upside Down from Stranger Things. My pronouns are she/they (genderfae).
Glass could be good, but I think adding a silvery-shining quality could add to the magic.
silver tree roots look more magical to me, but I like earth glass better.
Personally I like the glass shards better
Pretty sure the dude has come to a decision sometime in the past 4 months.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.