Suggested reading for site newbs?

[Dr Yes]

Hi everyone, I dropped by this site after seeing the link from EN World not too long ago, and I'm really impressed by how much there is here.  Given the massive quantity of material, can anyone make any suggestions about what I should have a look at first?

To help with your suggestions and any other advice you might have:

1) I've already read FAQ, COC and 'the Art of Criticism'.  I have started browsing the Campaign setting Directory and I'm still using it to window shop.

2) I like an assortment of fantasy settings in gaming, but right now I'm really in a 'near future' setting kind of mood.  What's some of the better stuff in this category?  Something I could use with Shadowrun, Spycraft, d20 Modern or Heavy Gear rules. I want to get started on a system neutral city setting and I'm keen to see what I could maybe link it up to down the track.

3) Anything heavy with factions and NPCs normally grabs my interest,  I normally find history, mythology, backstory, geography, etc more interesting only after I've already been drawn in to the setting.  What some of the standout settings in this area?

4) To avoid being too narrow in focus as I browse around, I would like to look at everything else, but there is just so much.  What would you recommend as the best 30 minutes worth of reading in your setting (or someone elses), something that would really give a great feel of how your concepts would play out at the table.

Thanks in advance for any replies, and I hope this doesn't come across as too narrow minded - I'm just really trying to find a managable way to take in so much stuff that does justice to each authors hard work.

[Xeviat]

I'd suggest picking a setting and attaching yourself to it. Read a bunch that are still on the first page of the message board, and when you find one you like, focus on it.

I find it hard to focus on working on my own setting and giving valuable feedback for others.

[So-Keher]

Yeah I would agree with Xeviat. The Dragon's Den is a good place to chat if that's what you're interested in too. Otherwise, the CeBeGia threads are very interesting and have a lot of good discussions of crunch/fluff that could be useful in any setting as well as the fantasy that CeBeGia represents.

Welcome to the site!

[Raelifin]

Welcome to the guild! I love when we get converts from links, rather than personal recommendations.

Now let's see... near-future... cyberpunk... d20 modern... system neutral...

Nope. Cant think of anything. Most of the settings around here are either space drama or some form of fantasy. Sorry.

As a consolation, I can point you to my favorite settings on the guild:

Jade Stage
* Dystopia
* Avayevnon
* Sulos
* Kishar

A simple forum search will get you any of those. OR you could browse the Campaign Setting Directory.

Once again, welcome.
 - Raelifin Elfeater

[SDragon]

I agree with all of Rael's picks. Ontop of that, since it would be a shame to such an opportunity for some blatent self promotion.....

Fiendspawn, although in the early stages of development, has plenty of potential for faction-oriented political goodness, along with the oh-so-in-right-now element of moral ambiguity. If you like Eberron, try checking out Fiendspawn.

Not only that, but if you want a headstart on your own setting, I have a cyberpunk setting project floating around somewhere, In which I've created some cool elements for a cyberpunk setting, with the intent of somebody else adopting the project as their own setting.



All that aside, welcome to the site! I believe I speak for us all when I say we hope you like it here.

Edit- Oh, and despite how it may seem, we really aren't eating your brains. That's just the sensation of us becoming your newest web addiction.

[Ishmayl-Retired]

Welcome, Welcome Dr Yes!  Most of the suggestions above make great starter advice.  I have some advice of my own which will focus on things to read that aren't necessarily setting-specific.   Our resident Master of Krunch, Xeviat, has posted numerous new mechanics for role playing, and right now, he's working on completely revamping the system, so you may want to take a gander there.  So-Keher has started a great conversation on the relevance of firearms in a standard fantasy game, and there are some good conversation tid-bits showing up in that thread already.  You could never go wrong checking out the Map Showcase, where members here show off their maps, and sometimes even help us not-so-good cartographic wannabes out a bit. ;)  Here is a list of useful programs and websites some related to RPGs, others not, but extremely helpful nonetheless.  For a little bit of fun, a long time ago, Luminous Crayon created a thread where you can ask to have your campaign work drawn for you by talented artists.  It seems to get a bit of a revival here and there, so that could be fun for you.  And last, but certainly not least, the same user also created a wonderful thread, called The Art of Criticism which everyone on every web site should read.  I see that you've already read it, but it's worth reading over and over again!

Cheers, and have fun!

[So-Keher]

[ooc]sweet my thread got linked  :D [/ooc]

Reading is a great place to start, but probably the best, quickest, and easiest way to get started is post your ideas/settings. Almost all of the frequent posters will check it out and you'll get great feedback in no time. It also helps just to write down your ideas so you don't lose them and other people can see them and help you build onto them or improve them. That was a little redundant but you get the point.

In reference to one of your questions, a good place to start with campaigns (as a general statement) is probably the history or an overview of the land it represents.

[Lmns Crn]

Hello, and welcome! It's always good to see new people around here, especially when they dive in with both feet like this. :yumm:

1) I've already read FAQ, COC and 'the Art of Criticism'.  I have started browsing the Campaign setting Directory and I'm still using it to window shop.

2) I like an assortment of fantasy settings in gaming, but right now I'm really in a 'near future' setting kind of mood.  What's some of the better stuff in this category?  Something I could use with Shadowrun, Spycraft, d20 Modern or Heavy Gear rules. I want to get started on a system neutral city setting and I'm keen to see what I could maybe link it up to down the track.[/quote]4) To avoid being too narrow in focus as I browse around, I would like to look at everything else, but there is just so much.  What would you recommend as the best 30 minutes worth of reading in your setting (or someone elses), something that would really give a great feel of how your concepts would play out at the table.[/quote]Thanks in advance for any replies, and I hope this doesn't come across as too narrow minded - I'm just really trying to find a managable way to take in so much stuff that does justice to each authors hard work.[/quote]No apology necessary. There is an overwhelming volume of fascinating writing hosted here. It's no weakness to be unable to parse it all simultaneously and immediately.

Hope you enjoy.

[Higgs Boson]

Don't forget one of the most important items: Don't actually think about 2/3 of the stuff we say in The Tavern, it may lead to mental damage.

[Seraph]

* Avayevnon

Sweet!  I got recommended!

Sometimes I find the bigger settings rather daunting, as there is just so much there!  Often I start reading a setting and if it doesn't capture my attention in the introduction, then I move on.  But sometimes I find myself drawn into a setting I wouldn't expect to care about because the creator makes it very interesting.  So I suppose I would suggest browsing through the settings in Homebrews or Campaign Elements and Design and just seeing what catches your interest.  I would of course hope that Avayevnon catches your interest, but if not, that's ok too.  Just look around.

[Dr Yes]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the great suggestions.  Thats a good assortment of material for me to sink some time into.

I'll get started on some setting notes of my own soon, and hopefully you'll see me asking questions and commenting on some of the other setting as well.

[khyron1144]

3) Anything heavy with factions and NPCs normally grabs my interest,  I normally find history, mythology, backstory, geography, etc more interesting only after I've already been drawn in to the setting.  What some of the standout settings in this area?

I won't say it's one of the standouts in this area, but I'm proud of what my setting of Tera has in terms of secret societies and factions.


And welcome aboard.


I think that right now, my entire setting thread can be read in one half-hour session by most people.