When I'm not writing stuff for Urbis, I busy myself by running new wiki projects. The Arcana Wiki (http://arcana.wikidot.com/) is the latest.
I had the idea when I was reading through random Wikipedia articles and reminded, once again, just what a huge source of inspiration the real world is. Real world nations, cultures, cities, technologies, geological features, and so forth - all of them can inspire adventures and even entire campaign settings. But unfortunately, the Wikipedia doesn't permit users to add adventure ideas to its individual entries.
But the Arcana Wiki does. Basically, anything that would warrant a Wikipedia entry (and quite a few things more, since the Arcana Wiki does not have a "notability standard") and can be justified to be interesting for gamers can be an appropriate Arcana Wiki entry. Each entry has a "Basic Information" section, which conveys factual information much like the Wikipedia (though the focus is on the interesting aspects rather than dry statistics), and a "Game and Story Use" where anyone can add adventure and campaign ideas.
Take a look, and tell me what you think! I'm also curious which entries you liked most, since that would show me which kind of entries I should write more of.
(And, of course, anyone who wants to write new entries is more than welcome...)
Sounds like a good resource Jurgen. Nice to see you back, too.
Quote from: PhoenixSounds like a good resource Jurgen.
Glad you like it! I've also added a tropes section which closely mirrors the TV Tropes Wiki - another brilliant resource for gamers...
Quote from: PhoenixNice to see you back, too.
Well, the time I spend in online forums waxes and wanes. Right now I have a vacation, which at least in theory means I have more time... but until Wednesday, I'm also staying with my parents, which means I only have a modem connection right now. ;)
Here is a sub-project I could use some help with: I've started a page listing various terrain types (http://arcana.wikidot.com/terrain). So far, I only have entries for deserts and swamps, and even those are rather short... but I'd appreciate any help with adding new entries.
I've installed a new random page function (http://arcana.wikidot.com/nav:random-page). Play with it for a while to see the sheer scope of the wiki!
I've added a module (http://arcana.wikidot.com/nav:top-entries) to the Arcana Wiki which allows users to see the top-rated entries in the wiki and thus have an easier time of finding "the good stuff". But for that module to work, individual entries in the wiki need some more actual ratings (you can rate an entry by clicking on the relevant bottom of the page).
If you are using the Arcana Wiki, please take the time to rate your favorite entries. Not only will it help other users, but it will also give me some idea of what users want to see more of, and plan my future contributions accordingly.
You know, Jurgen, you might check out my Mythology Resource (http://www.thecbg.org/wiki/index.php/Mythology_Resource) pages on the CBG wiki if you haven't. It's a related project, at least.
Quote from: PhoenixYou know, Jurgen, you might check out my Mythology Resource (http://www.thecbg.org/wiki/index.php/Mythology_Resource) pages on the CBG wiki if you haven't. It's a related project, at least.
I will, thanks.
Yay! The Arcana Wiki (http://arcana.wikidot.com/) has become Illuminated Site of the Week (http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archives.html?y=2008&m=September&d=5)!
(http://www.sjgames.com/ill/illsotw/img/illogo2.gif) (http://www.sjgames.com/ill/illsotw/)
I've figured out recently that it is possible to subscribe to the latest changes of the Arcana Wiki via an RSS feed. If you want to do so as well, go here:
http://arcana.wikidot.com/feed/site-changes.xml
Out of curiosity, has anyone here tried out the Adventure Seed Generator (http://arcana.wikidot.com/random-adventure-seeds)?
I hope to create something similar for settings one day...
The Arcana Wiki has really taken off recently - we now have more than 1,600 individual entries!
I've also re-enabled anonymous editing - hopefully, this will make it easier for others to join up...