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Rename the "Three Worlds" Setting

Started by Xeviat, November 15, 2011, 10:01:08 PM

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Xeviat

November 15, 2011, 10:01:08 PM
Quote"Three Worlds"? Stat Block
System: D&D 4E/Mutants and Masterminds (both house ruled)
Theme/Tone: Grand adventuring in a big world, organic world.
Inspirations: Lord of the Rings, D&D, Future Earth, Western and Eastern Mythology.
Genre: High Fantasy
Technology Influence: Late Medieval to Early Renaissance: Iron and Steel weapons and armor, Stone fortresses still in effect, cannons and muskets are new, and age of exploration-style wooden ships.
Magic Influence: Magic is common, Spellcasters are uncommon but not rare. Magical Rituals are as simple to do as cooking, where one can be better than others but anyone can follow the instructions. Actual casters who can fire off "magic missile" till the cows come home are more rare. Magic is codified within the five elements (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Aether), which enter into many facets of life.
Ecology/Races: The existence of six major civilized races other than humans make humans less omnipresent than on Earth. Much of the world is pristine wilderness, protected by powerful spirits and populated by uncivilized races (some more savage than others). The flora and fauna of the world are quite different from those on modern Earth.
Religion: Largely shamanistic and animistic, with some powerful spirits being elevated to god status. Few gods have monotheistic-like churches, such as the churches of the Knights. Gods are spirits who are worshiped to receive their blessings and guidance, while Demons are spirits who are worshiped to avoid or redirect their destructive actions.
Planar Cosmology: Two-Planes, Terran (the material plane) and The Spirit World (home of gods, demons, and all manner of fey and the spirits of the dead).
Geography: An entire world, the size of planet Earth. The majority of the current setting takes place on a large continent the size of Asia and a smaller island continent the size of Australia.
Places to start/Points of Interest: The Holylands, the home of the renaissance; The Capitol Hunerst, with its grand mile-high spires.
Links: To be added later.
10 Words: Epic in scope and tone, yet "realistic" in its nature.

The italic points are contradictory, which is why I have started this thread. Long ago, before 4th Edition D&D in fact, I had decided upon a 3 plane setting for the core of my setting. Originally, these three worlds were meant to be three different settings within the same cosmology, with a magical world of the fey, a material world of swordsmen and sorcerers, and a shadowy world of darkness and death. I do not think Wizards was directly copying me, in fact I consider it to be more of a case of "great minds think alike" since I was basing it off of common fantasy tropes. For a while, I was running with it, and decided to keep it as I had started it.

It has been ten years since I started working on my setting, and probably five years since its current form was established. But as I have done more reading and thought about it more and more, I am not entirely sure that I want to have three different planes. I now think I could easily merge the planes of Spirit and the Dead. Nature Spirits and the spirits of dead mortals could reside in the same world. Or I could keep them separate.

If I merge them, then I clearly need to change the name of my setting.

What would the strengths be of having the Spirit World and the Land of the Dead as separate places? What would be the benefits of merging them? I need a few more cooks for my pot.
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.

Magnus Pym

#1
November 15, 2011, 10:47:00 PM
Well I don't see any strengths or weaknesses in having them merged or not. It really depends on the idea you have of your Spirits and your Deads. Personally I'd merge them, because it might get easier in the future to explain certain phenomenas, but that's just me.

Maybe I could give you better suggestions if you told me what does the Dead do/become when they die (and get into the Land of the Deads) and same for Spirits. What are spirits, are they actually cosmically/materially real or are they the fruit of pure humane imagination. (Or not so humane)

Weave

#2
November 15, 2011, 11:05:22 PM
If I were you, I'd merge them. Combining the two allows you to really flesh out a distinct and separate world without having to divide your focus between them. Flighty nature spirits and the dismal unliving can all be one in the same; in fact, it actually adds a lot of character to them. In fact, it could almost be a mock heaven, what with it having gods and the dead all in one place, but it doesn't need to be the shining example heaven is usually compared to. It could be a fun take on the idea that "heaven" isn't all that great in some spots.

Name-wise, Two Worlds has been done to death in video games and RPGs, but I don't have a good grasp of the setting as is. I'm also terrible with names :P.

Xeviat

#3
November 15, 2011, 11:09:06 PM
Spirits are cosmically real, and often materially real. Everything has a spirit, be it a rock, flower, tree, river, mountain, or ocean. Spirits all have power, but not all spirits are sapient (and not all powerful spirits are sapient either). The spirit of a mountain is usually stronger than the spirit of a rock, but if that rock was the sling-stone that slayed Goliath and is worshiped by generations after generations of people, then the rock's spirit could be stronger than the mountain. Spirits range from the small (pixies, which are flower spirits), to medium (dryads are spirits of trees), to large (the Stag who protects the Kinoryn forest), to the truely grand (Ivenodia, the dragon aspect of Aether).

As for the dead, the world is a world of reincarnation. Usually, the dead die, travel to the realm of the dead for some time before they are called back into mortal service as a new life (there may be some sort of limited spiritual energy). Most dead leave an echo of themselves, an ancestral spirit that may be bound to some place important to their life (the site of their death, their home, their grave, or their favorite place in the world). Some of these echos were from people so important that they become deities themselves (the spirits of the Five Knights' swords are inhabited by a spirit made of the combined spiritual energy of their wielders through the ages). Others guard ancestral sites like temples or homes important to their families. Some guide their descendants. Others are consumed by darkness and become wraiths, shadows, and ghosts.
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.

Magnus Pym

#4
November 15, 2011, 11:42:28 PM
Oh, then I don't see a reason for them to be separate. Merge them! Hehe.

I like it, too.

Kindling

#5
November 16, 2011, 07:59:06 AM
I agree, merging is good. As for a new name, well, as stated above Two Worlds is a bit rubbish, so a complete change is needed. What sort of name do you want to go for, a phrase-in-english type (Forgotten Realms, Jade Stage, Clockwork Jungle) or a fantasy-proper-noun type (Eberron, Celtricia, Cad Goleor)? Either way it seems like it needs to be something pretty grand-sounding due to the scale of your setting.
all hail the reapers of hope

Xeviat

#6
November 19, 2011, 10:01:53 PM
Consider them merged. I think I want some type of phrase name, since the setting is these two worlds, not one or the other. The setting itself focuses on law vs. chaos and civilization vs. wilderness ...
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.

Superfluous Crow

#7
November 20, 2011, 10:50:45 AM
Off the top of my head:
the Wild Laws
Crumbling Legacy
Spiritgrounds
Spiritmeet
Two Pillars

there are definitely some misses, but perhaps som partial or close hits? Rip, tear, cannibalize, combine.
Currently...
Writing: Broken Verge v. 207
Reading: the Black Sea: a History by Charles King
Watching: Farscape and Arrested Development

Xeviat

#8
November 20, 2011, 11:05:17 PM
I'm thinking something with "Horizons" in it. It captures the scope I'm going for. Someone here once had a "Shattered Horizons" setting, so not that. Not "Forgotten", or even "Mysterious" ...

Two Pillars is real cool. It or something like it is definitely in the maybe pile.
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.

Xathan

#9
November 20, 2011, 11:40:16 PM
Twin Horizons?
AnIndex of My Work

Quote from: Sparkletwist
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Proud Receiver of a Golden Dorito
[spoiler=SRD AND OGC AND LEGAL JUNK]UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED IN THE POST, NONE OF THE ABOVE CONTENT IS CONSIDERED OGC, EXCEPT FOR MATERIALS ALREADY MADE OGC BY PRIOR PUBLISHERS
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10 Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
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12 Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
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Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Fudge 10th Anniversary Edition Copyright 2005, Grey Ghost Press, Inc.; Authors Steffan O'Sullivan and Ann Dupuis, with additional material by Jonathan Benn, Peter Bonney, Deird'Re Brooks, Reimer Behrends, Don Bisdorf, Carl Cravens, Shawn Garbett, Steven Hammond, Ed Heil, Bernard Hsiung, J.M. "Thijs" Krijger, Sedge Lewis, Shawn Lockard, Gordon McCormick, Kent Matthewson, Peter Mikelsons, Robb Neumann, Anthony Roberson, Andy Skinner, William Stoddard, Stephan Szabo, John Ughrin, Alex Weldon, Duke York, Dmitri Zagidulin
System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

Modern System Reference Doument Copyright 2002, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Charles Ryan, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes, Andy Collins, and JD Walker.

Unearthed Arcana Copyright 2004, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Andy Collins, Jesse Decker, David Noonan, Rich Redman.

Mutants and Masterminds Second Edition Copyright 2005, Green Ronin Publishing; Steve Kenson
Fate (Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment) Copyright 2003 by Evil Hat Productions, LLC. Authors Robert Donoghue and Fred Hicks.
Spirit of the Century Copyright 2006 by Evil Hat Productions, LLC. Authors Robert Donoghue, Fred Hicks, and Leonard Balsera
Xathan's forum posts at http://www.thecbg.org Copyright 2006-2011, J.A. Raizman.
[/spoiler]

Xeviat

#10
November 21, 2011, 12:35:45 AM
That has a nice feel to it. It would end up making me have to work on the Spirit World more, instead of having it come off as a cosmological thing. But that might not be bad, and would give the setting more uniqueness.
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.

Superfluous Crow

#11
November 21, 2011, 02:17:11 AM
Otherwise perhaps distant or faded horizons?
Currently...
Writing: Broken Verge v. 207
Reading: the Black Sea: a History by Charles King
Watching: Farscape and Arrested Development

Xeviat

#12
November 22, 2011, 02:33:08 AM
Endless Horizons?
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.

Xathan

#13
November 23, 2011, 02:21:09 PM
Quote from: Xeviat
Endless Horizons?

I like it - gets the Horizons things in that you wanted and a good name for an RPG with adventure setting.
AnIndex of My Work

Quote from: Sparkletwist
It's llitul and the brain, llitul and the brain, one is a genius and the other's insane
Proud Receiver of a Golden Dorito
[spoiler=SRD AND OGC AND LEGAL JUNK]UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED IN THE POST, NONE OF THE ABOVE CONTENT IS CONSIDERED OGC, EXCEPT FOR MATERIALS ALREADY MADE OGC BY PRIOR PUBLISHERS
Appendix I: Open Game License Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)"Derivative Material" means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) "Distribute" means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)"Open Game Content" means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) "Trademark" means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) "Use", "Used" or "Using" means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) "You" or "Your" means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10 Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
12 Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13 Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.
14 Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Fudge 10th Anniversary Edition Copyright 2005, Grey Ghost Press, Inc.; Authors Steffan O'Sullivan and Ann Dupuis, with additional material by Jonathan Benn, Peter Bonney, Deird'Re Brooks, Reimer Behrends, Don Bisdorf, Carl Cravens, Shawn Garbett, Steven Hammond, Ed Heil, Bernard Hsiung, J.M. "Thijs" Krijger, Sedge Lewis, Shawn Lockard, Gordon McCormick, Kent Matthewson, Peter Mikelsons, Robb Neumann, Anthony Roberson, Andy Skinner, William Stoddard, Stephan Szabo, John Ughrin, Alex Weldon, Duke York, Dmitri Zagidulin
System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

Modern System Reference Doument Copyright 2002, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Charles Ryan, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes, Andy Collins, and JD Walker.

Unearthed Arcana Copyright 2004, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Andy Collins, Jesse Decker, David Noonan, Rich Redman.

Mutants and Masterminds Second Edition Copyright 2005, Green Ronin Publishing; Steve Kenson
Fate (Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment) Copyright 2003 by Evil Hat Productions, LLC. Authors Robert Donoghue and Fred Hicks.
Spirit of the Century Copyright 2006 by Evil Hat Productions, LLC. Authors Robert Donoghue, Fred Hicks, and Leonard Balsera
Xathan's forum posts at http://www.thecbg.org Copyright 2006-2011, J.A. Raizman.
[/spoiler]

Xeviat

#14
November 23, 2011, 11:02:23 PM
Now to get a group that can get together more regularly than my current group so I can run something long term. Might have to do a PbP or a irc game ...
Endless Horizons: Action and adventure set in a grand world ripe for exploration.

Proud recipient of the Silver Tortoise Award for extra Krunchyness.
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