Hey! I'm a DM and digital painter looking to build a world to be used both for my D&D games and as a subject matter to illustrate and build an art portfolio around.
I'm looking for advice on where to start, and how to go about creating my own world. Any youtube series, guides or books I should read? I already know the tone of the world I'm interested in creating but I'm a bit worried I'd end up just copying something that's already done (I like the dark and mysterious universes of Symbaroum, the Book of the New Sun, as well as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, for exemple, but want to create something that would be my own).
Ressources, tips, suggestions on where to begin and what pitfals to be warry of would be appreciated.
There is also a few excellent Reddits on this topic...one specifically for RPG world building, one for fantasy writing world-building.
Likewise, all editions of the Dungeon Master's Guide have advice, checklists, and very useful information for building your campaign world. Really, every edition going back to the great EGG AD&D Guide has great content on this. At the very least read the 5e DMG, but check out previous editions as well.
Another source is to analyze the existing campaign world's to learn how to do it, what works etc. World of Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms both have sourcebooks that are great for this (for example The Frgoton Realms Campaign Setting Hardcover (or pdf) from wizards).
I also have to mention an amazing series analyzing dungeon and encounter design...they use Baldur's Gate as the main lesson device. I really learned a lot:
I find it easy to make and create new worlds by doing basic things like making mind maps. Also, dont be afraid to take inspiration from film and literiture, as this can help you evolve your original ideas into something even more fun or interesting.
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Hey! I'm a DM and digital painter looking to build a world to be used both for my D&D games and as a subject matter to illustrate and build an art portfolio around.
I'm looking for advice on where to start, and how to go about creating my own world. Any youtube series, guides or books I should read? I already know the tone of the world I'm interested in creating but I'm a bit worried I'd end up just copying something that's already done (I like the dark and mysterious universes of Symbaroum, the Book of the New Sun, as well as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, for exemple, but want to create something that would be my own).
Ressources, tips, suggestions on where to begin and what pitfals to be warry of would be appreciated.
There are several books on this topic,some by EGG, some at Kobold Press, google around a bit. (for example Gary Gygax's World Builder: Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds Vol. 2)
Likewise, there are many youtube vids in the various DM channels (just two random examples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9k3TpOYyg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpRm0npY_tg).
There is also a few excellent Reddits on this topic...one specifically for RPG world building, one for fantasy writing world-building.
Likewise, all editions of the Dungeon Master's Guide have advice, checklists, and very useful information for building your campaign world. Really, every edition going back to the great EGG AD&D Guide has great content on this. At the very least read the 5e DMG, but check out previous editions as well.
Another source is to analyze the existing campaign world's to learn how to do it, what works etc. World of Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms both have sourcebooks that are great for this (for example The Frgoton Realms Campaign Setting Hardcover (or pdf) from wizards).
I also have to mention an amazing series analyzing dungeon and encounter design...they use Baldur's Gate as the main lesson device. I really learned a lot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWgc20zbRXk
I find it easy to make and create new worlds by doing basic things like making mind maps. Also, dont be afraid to take inspiration from film and literiture, as this can help you evolve your original ideas into something even more fun or interesting.