Realm Write-ups

Realm Write-ups

Connors 09 Jul 2015 06:36

Wow. I just read the Realm Sheet for Shan. A LOT there. WE certainly did a lot of detail for some of those 3E write-ups.

I am not sure we need to go that overboard these days. Instead, I am thinking we separate things a little (such as separate History and Region pages) like we have, and having separate DM docs (where all extra info can be kept). Actual pages for the players can be a little more limited and not so overwhelming. On my Summer Isle site (and others) I have separated the campaign area into regions and then withing that page, specific areas. I think I might try and maintain such a thing.

What I want to know from others is should we have common headings/items in region descriptions or take a more 5E Races approach and make up each subheading based upon the place?

Or just stick to place names and descriptions like other setting sites anyway? ie most grouped cultural stuff etc will be elsewhere, such as under the race descriptions. Sorry, rambling. I hope someone understood some of this ;)

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“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

Re: Realm Write-ups

Vamprey 09 Jul 2015 13:43

I dont care what we do as long as it's consistent across the board. So yes we should have common headings that get attention for every realm. Will make it a lot clearer what we need to do every time we go to write up a new realm/region.

I don't like the idea of making up a heading based on a place.

I hope that makes sense cause you kind of lost me witha bit of that.

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Chaotic Good: Governments should be afraid of their people.

Re: Realm Write-ups

Connors 10 Jul 2015 05:44

Yeah, I always operated on these terms, and maybe still will for my Reams sheets that I use as a DM, but for player info, I am more inclined to take a more varied approach. Each region might have a few basics that are stated for each, but I think for description, the best way to hit on the highlights/differences for a realm is to just talk about them under those headings rather than present stacks of info for a player to trawl through, and inc info, even if not needed for that realm.

For what I am getting at look at the 5E races in the PHB. The best race write-ups for a long time in my mind (if anyone has read the info). So you hit on the important parts and interesting bits about that realm and give each its own subheading. Then there are the stats common to all races. (This is a process they started in 4E with the Monster Vault and continued with the monsters in the 5E MM).

Think of a realm like a race or monster. What subheadings would you use for the different realms? I much prefer this approach.

For eg, subheadings for HT would centre around things like: the cold; the clans; having giants for rulers; honor; large empire w provinces; oriental weaponry, etc. Many of these you would not need for writing up The Frontier for eg.

So you hit on the highlights to get players involved and jump to the important parts. I love picking up the 5E MM and doing this. You can then have a list of standard 'stats'/features common to all region write-ups. (Hopefully you have a read of these books/ideas and see what I mean).

It still means deciding on that short list of 'stats' and that can be the constant. But for description, I would rather just do like the races and monsters. Seems more interesting than reading the old realms write-ups like I have been doing. A lot to trawl through - no wonder players did not read it all ;)

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“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

Re: Realm Write-ups

blairos 10 Jul 2015 09:03

Yeah, I think I get where you're coming from Connors. To an extent, I think that's one thing that we're already doing with the "7 Things" about the realm, as this is ALWAYS going to be different and I really like the idea.

There are likely to be some common areas that we still cover, but I think using individualized headings will add a bit more flavor to the write-ups and make them a bit more digestible by the players.

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Hanlon's Razor - Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity.

Re: Realm Write-ups

Connors 10 Jul 2015 12:36

I do to. Rather than stock standard recipes. Read the new monsters and races. Much better to read than all the same headings. So, I want to go down this route.

However:
1. I am not that good with description/story. I will still be adapting what is there and maybe together we can add a bit of 'flavour'. ;)
2. Like the stats that follow, I still think we need some common headings. As I think Shane is after. These are not fully detailed or for description, just a few fast things you can look at to get a quick idea. Kind of like the 'At A Glance' section of the Realms Sheets (Which I still intend to use as DM docs). So with a DM Realms Doc and a players description on the website, I reckon we have it covered. (But I don't want the big realms sheets for players. Too much info, not interesting info etc. Most of that can come out in a game).

So, do people want to make a list of the common 'stats' all should have, or develop as we go? ie, I write one or two and then see where we go? (BTW - this is the approach I want to take going forward with races, deities, realms, etc).

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“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

Re: Realm Write-ups

Vamprey 10 Jul 2015 12:49

Develop as we go I think will be easiest.

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Chaotic Good: Governments should be afraid of their people.