Nightmarenny
2010-03-31, 03:36 AM
Last Saturday me and some friends started a new campaign with me as DM. I've been working on the long term of this for quite a while, though we ended up starting early so I still have a lot to do anyway. I Intend to start posting a full campaign Journal in a week or so but for now I thought I would post some background info and ask for some advice.
So first an overview of the world. Many settings imply either a magically(or technologically) advanced society or group of individuals which existed in the world's past. This group often died out, leaving no mark on the world but some magical relics worth questing for. My world's old society has not. It is deeply scared by the old powers. A deep and thick cut has been made from the west ocean all the way to the old empires capital, an entire mountain was blown apart creating a blasted wasteland, and a deep hole has been burnt in the ground. A number of small kingdoms live in an old but easily disturbed peace.
That is the backdrop with the main plot centered around four gems which represent the corners of the alignment system and two groups who attempt to gain control of them, but that is something I'm saving for a bit later(my group is only at 3rd level) though I'm already laying the ground work. As I started my group just outside the first dungeon, to give them time to talk among themselves and establish a group dynamic before a lot of NPC interaction happened, they are about to reach the first town and I want it to be both immersive and memorable. I want to give them a little map and pictures to give them a feel for it.
The town is called Kings Hilt(named for its proximity to a river nick named the Kings Sword.) It is inspired very much by Venice. With much of its original city underwater the city's roads exist on very structured walkways which double as damns. Small boats are just as common as walking and a large docking system exists on one side of it(it is a strong city for trading and commerce). The nobility has mostly refused to rebuild and simply water proofs its buildings with magic. Towers are a common building type and much of the city exists underground. I am however having trouble turning my thoughts into pictures. Does anyone know some similar looking cities in the world of fantasy I could use for inspiration and guidance?
After a very combat heavy dungeon I want to cool down with some more unusual challenges. Something fun that lets them use a couple skill checks and some player interaction that I can throw around to fill time while they shop and certain players do more plot-centric activities.
So first an overview of the world. Many settings imply either a magically(or technologically) advanced society or group of individuals which existed in the world's past. This group often died out, leaving no mark on the world but some magical relics worth questing for. My world's old society has not. It is deeply scared by the old powers. A deep and thick cut has been made from the west ocean all the way to the old empires capital, an entire mountain was blown apart creating a blasted wasteland, and a deep hole has been burnt in the ground. A number of small kingdoms live in an old but easily disturbed peace.
That is the backdrop with the main plot centered around four gems which represent the corners of the alignment system and two groups who attempt to gain control of them, but that is something I'm saving for a bit later(my group is only at 3rd level) though I'm already laying the ground work. As I started my group just outside the first dungeon, to give them time to talk among themselves and establish a group dynamic before a lot of NPC interaction happened, they are about to reach the first town and I want it to be both immersive and memorable. I want to give them a little map and pictures to give them a feel for it.
The town is called Kings Hilt(named for its proximity to a river nick named the Kings Sword.) It is inspired very much by Venice. With much of its original city underwater the city's roads exist on very structured walkways which double as damns. Small boats are just as common as walking and a large docking system exists on one side of it(it is a strong city for trading and commerce). The nobility has mostly refused to rebuild and simply water proofs its buildings with magic. Towers are a common building type and much of the city exists underground. I am however having trouble turning my thoughts into pictures. Does anyone know some similar looking cities in the world of fantasy I could use for inspiration and guidance?
After a very combat heavy dungeon I want to cool down with some more unusual challenges. Something fun that lets them use a couple skill checks and some player interaction that I can throw around to fill time while they shop and certain players do more plot-centric activities.