Setting Template Contest (Discussion Thread)

[Xeviat]

As requested, here's a discussion thread for my little contest. I'll add a link to the main thread.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

How exactly are these templates supposed to be used if your setting doesn't include elements they have on them or you want to post first an aspect that's far down on the list?  I found some parts of the stat block which I couldn't use and in fact found very assumptive of what genre and setting elements I was using.  Is there really any point to coming up with an official template if people are so variable?

[Ghostman]

I don't think you'd have to use a template, even if it's touted as official.

Perhaps a template could be designed with a composite structure? The different parts of it would be assembled into components that you could stick together in any order you want, with some pre-made example orders provided for those who want a working model. Individual components could be omitted when they're not appropiate or needed.

Not that I'm one to try and design this myself, just throwing an idea for others :D

[the_taken]

Perhaps it's not a contest for creating something practical. I took it as an excuse to write something vaguely witty. For science! For Rofls! For Eternia!

[Xeviat]

Every entry wouldn't need to be used. Having my support as "official" wouldn't even mean that everyone has to use it. As I said, I'll use the chosen format, and then I'll support it.

And yes, it is a contest for creating something practical. Obviously I'd make a few additions for my setting, since there are things that wouldn't apply to others, but I firmly believe that having a general structure will help me and many newcomers get it all out there.

[Superfluous Crow]

Hmm, we could always go through some other (published) setting books. Although i've lend my Eberron book out...

[Llum]

I'm a little bit curious what exactly you want in a template. Do you want a defined way to present ideas (dividing everything into different sections)? If so I personally fail to see any real different between different templates (I mean some people might put magic before religion or vice versa, or might not even have religion/magic).

Or are you looking for a way to format the information. With a specific lay out for all the information?

[Xeviat]

More of a way to format the information. I do want things divided into different sections, but it's really the nature of the division that's more important than the magic (though order is important as well, as you want something to hook.

For instance, the fluff of races in the 4E PHB is as follows:

Race
-Physical Qualities: Appearance and Aging.
-Playing a (Race): Cultural and Psychological traits which lend themselves to adventurers.
---(Race) Characteristics: Words which describe the race best.
---Names
-(Race) Adventurers: Sample Characters.

I don't think that's enough.

[Llum]

So you want a specific format in a defined order on how to present your setting. Seems simple enough, I'll see if I can gather something together, maybe it will give people some other ideas.

[Xeviat]

Making a bump for this. Here is my current outline:

Code Select Expand


I. Character Creation and Options
A. Abilities
B. Race and Culture
1. Human
2. Dwarf
3. Elf
4. Halfling
5. Ifrit
6. Triton
7. Valkyrie
8. Half-Bloods
C. Character Options
1. Power Sources
a) Air
b) Earth
c) Fire
d) Water
e) Æther
f) Non-magical
2. Magicians
a) Mages
b) Sorcerers
c) Priests
d) Shamans
II. Magic
A. The Elements of Magic
B. Divinity
1. The Pantheons
a) The Elements
b) The Knights
2. Avalon, The Spirit World
3. Sylphenhest, The Underworld
III. Life on Terran
A. The World of Terran
1. Time
2. Marking the Years
3. Life Across Krellshah
a) Government
b) Rural Life
c) City Life
d) Class and Station
e) Education
f) Adventurers
g) Language
B. Geography
1. Krellshah
a) Region 1
(1) General Info
(a) Capitol
(b) Population (breakdown %)
(c) Government
(d) Religions
(e) Imports/Exports
(f) Languages
(g) Alignment
(2) Industries
(3) Life and Society
(4) Government and Politics
(5) Power Groups
(6) Religion
(7) Major Settlements
(8) Important Sites
(9) Adventuring
2. Serian
3. Draconia
4. Blaircath
C. Organizations
IV. History
V. Monsters
A. Creature Types and Classification
B. Advanced Races
C. Monsters