Where are we? (World Building for Tabletop Role Playing Games)

Every tabletop role playing game starts with an idea.

That spark in the imagination of the game master is the foundation for the world that players explore. While it’s easy and convenient to use pre-existing game settings and adventures, it’s also easy to forget that those all began as someone else’s idea.

But where do world building ideas come from?

The idea can be a character, an NPC, that the creator builds a world around. Who are they? What do they do? Who are their friends, family, and enemies? Where do they live? What is their social status?

The idea can be an antagonist. The Big Bad Evil Guy, or BBEG as we refer to them. What are their powers? Who are their minions? What are they motivated by? What is their story? Where is their lair?

The idea can be a building. Is it a home or a business? Who lives or works there? Why would the players visit this place? What purpose does it serve?

Sometimes the ideas are theoretical. What if our world had magic? What if a fantasy realm lost their magic? How would our society look in a dystopian future? Would we be able to coexist with monsters?

The idea can be a community. Is it a wandering tribe or a capital city? Who leads it? What is the social structure? Who are the people and what are their roles?

Ideas can be countries. Continents. Even planets or planes of existence. Everything expands from one simple idea into a world that provides challenge and entertainment for those who will play in it.

World building is, above all, a creative adventure. It is difficult, and time consuming. Sometimes, if you’re very, very lucky, it can be profitable. But remember, adventurers, for every campaign setting or adventure that can be downloaded online or purchased at your local game store, there are dozens that have never been seen or heard of beyond the tabletop they are played on.

World builders – keep building. Keep creating. Your worlds are what helps keep the hobby alive.