Unlock your creativity with this simple guide to world building

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Use Camp Fire for DMS and Story Writers
3. Tools to Keep Track of Important Details
4. The Character Tab: Storing NPC and Player Character Details
5. The Role of the DM: Creating a Realistic World
6. Starting Small: Writing Basic Outlines and Adding Details as You Go
7. Creating the World: Its Beginning and Divine Influences
8. The Gods: Their Relation to the World and Mortal Affairs
9. Life in the World: Dominant Species and their Origins
10. Shaping the Map: Creating Unique Terrain and Inspirations
11. Monsters in the World: their Presence and Relationship with Humans
12. Humanoids in Conflict: Wars and the Expansion of Territories
13. The Fantastical Element: Incorporating Magic into Your World
14. Tips for Running a Game in Your Created World
15. Conclusion

Camp Fire: A Tool for DMS and Story Writers

Camp Fire is a simple and user-friendly program designed to help Dungeon Masters (DMs) and story writers organize their thoughts and keep track of important details. With a variety of tools at your disposal, Camp Fire makes it easy to create and manage character relationships, track game progression, import maps, and more. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using Camp Fire and how it can enhance your storytelling and game development.

Why Use Camp Fire for DMS and Story Writers

As a DM or story writer, it is essential to have a system in place to organize your ideas and keep track of important details. Camp Fire provides an intuitive and efficient platform to streamline your creative process. By using Camp Fire, you can:

• Collect and organize sporadic thoughts: Camp Fire provides a central hub for all your ideas, allowing you to easily gather and organize your thoughts as they come to you.

• Track game progression with ease: The timeline feature in Camp Fire allows you to keep track of the progress of your game, making it simple to reference past events and plan for future ones.

• Import maps and add detailed markers: With Camp Fire, you can import maps into the program and add detailed markers for settlements or dungeons. This feature ensures that you have a visual representation of your world, making it easier to navigate and reference during gameplay.

Tools to Keep Track of Important Details

One of the most valuable aspects of Camp Fire is its ability to help you keep track of important details that are crucial to the development of your game. The character tab, in particular, is a valuable tool for both storing NPC (non-player character) details and serving as a reference for player character backgrounds and personalities.

By utilizing the character tab, you can create an extensive database of NPCs, complete with their biographies, relationships, and ongoing storylines. This makes it easy to keep track of each character's role in your game and ensures consistency throughout your storytelling.

Additionally, the character tab can serve as a quick reference tool during gameplay. Instead of scrambling through endless documents or notes, you can simply access the character tab to swiftly retrieve important information about a character, saving you time and keeping the game running smoothly.

The Role of the DM: Creating a Realistic World

As a DM, your primary task is to create a world that feels real and immersive for your players. This process can be overwhelming, especially when you attempt to build everything from scratch. However, it's important to remember that you don't have to create every detail before the game starts.

To create a realistic world, it's best to start with basic outlines of the main points and fill in the details as you progress through the game. This approach allows for flexibility and adaptability, as your world will evolve and develop organically, alongside the actions and decisions of your players.

It's also important to consider the role of the gods in your world. Are they involved in the creation of the world? How do they interact with mortals? Are they loving caretakers or vengeful beings? Answering these questions helps shape the divine influences on your world and provides a deeper understanding of its dynamics.

Starting Small: Writing Basic Outlines and Adding Details as You Go

When building your world, it's best to start small and focus on writing basic outlines of the main points. This approach allows for manageable development and prevents the game from being delayed by excessive worldbuilding.

For example, start by determining the creation story of your world. How did it come into existence? Was it born from an egg or created by a god? The world's history can be as wild and imaginative as you desire, so let your creativity flow.

Next, consider the dominant species in your world and their origins. Did they migrate from another place, adapt from another species, or find their own way into existence? Incorporate elements from existing media or create your unique spin to make your world feel unique.

Creating the World: Its Beginning and Divine Influences

The creation of your world and its divine influences play a significant role in shaping its narrative and setting. Consider how your world came to be, whether it was the result of a cosmic event or the dream of a mundane creature.

In my example world, I've chosen a unique creationist method where the world was created by a belch from a cosmic horror. This unconventional beginning sets the tone for the fantastical and otherworldly nature of the world.

Additionally, the presence of gods in your world contributes to its depth and complexity. Determine how the gods relate to your world and its mortal affairs. Are they active participants, creating and shaping the course of events, or are they distant and detached from mortal affairs?

In my example, I've created two gods: Umber, the divine force of decay, drama, and time, and Ignace, the divine force of potential and fabrication. Each god represents different ideals and influences different aspects of the world. This creates a rich tapestry of divine presence and adds layers of complexity to the world's dynamics.

Life in the World: Dominant Species and their Origins

The dominant species in your world play a crucial role in shaping its societies, cultures, and conflicts. Consider how life came to be in your world and what species currently dominate it.

Drawing inspiration from existing media can provide a starting point for answering these questions. Did the species originate from another world or evolve from primitive creatures within your world? In my example world, the animals were originally parasites inside the cosmic creature before it burped, and humanoid species emerged from its body.

Determining the origins of life in your world sets the stage for exploring the relationships between species and their societies. It adds depth and richness to the world while creating opportunities for unique storytelling and conflicts.

Shaping the Map: Creating Unique Terrain and Inspirations

The map of your world is a vital component in its creation. It provides a visual representation of the land, its features, and its geography. When designing your map, consider whether you want it to resemble our own world or if you prefer to create something entirely unique.

Drawing inspiration from other planes of existence in the D&D universe can give your world a distinct flavor. For example, you can incorporate elements from the Feywild, elemental planes, or other realms to create unique and captivating terrains.

In my example world, I've opted for a completely underwater setting with giant chunks of Earth hollowed out and held beneath the surface by eldritch chains. This unique and fantastical terrain adds intrigue and provides a wealth of opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Monsters in the World: their Presence and Relationship with Humans

The presence of monsters in your world adds excitement and danger to your game. Consider the abundance and nature of monsters in your world. Are they rare and elusive, or do they roam freely and threaten human settlements?

Defining the relationship between monsters and humanoids is essential for creating a realistic and immersive world. Determine whether monsters are feral and hostile towards humans or if they have established their own civilizations alongside human settlements.

In my example world, monsters are numerous and territorial, serving as the first inhabitants of the underwater spheres. They pose a constant threat to humans, and each sphere must be tamed before humans can settle within its boundaries. This constant struggle against monsters adds tension and creates a sense of adventure in the world.

Humanoids in Conflict: Wars and the Expansion of Territories

Throughout history, conflict and wars have shaped the world. Consider the conflicts that have occurred in your world and how they have impacted the expansion of territories. Each race in your world will have its own way of affecting nature and shaping the land.

Elves, for example, may leave a minimal impact on the environment, while dwarves may engage in extensive mining and mountain leveling. Humans, known for their adaptability, tend to build settlements on top of existing features.

In my example world, humans start in one area, establish a central base, and expand outward by spreading from their starting point. This expansion is driven by the need for resources and a desire for territorial control. Tracking the expansion of human settlements allows for dynamic and evolving narratives within the world.

The Fantastical Element: Incorporating Magic into Your World

Magic is a fundamental aspect of the fantasy genre and a crucial element in creating an engaging and immersive world. Consider the role of magic in your world. Is it widespread and commonly practiced, or is it rare and confined to a select few?

The acceptance and accessibility of magic determine its impact on society and the shaping of your world. A world abundant in magic may have magic shops, teleportation hubs, and widespread use of magical elements. In contrast, a world with limited magic may be brutal and unforgiving, with few individuals possessing the ability to wield magic.

In my example world, magic is accessible only through items. The only source of magical properties is the chains that hold the worlds in place, which can only be harvested in limited quantities. This scarcity leads to conflicts and the potential destruction of entire worlds for the acquisition of magical artifacts.

Tips for Running a Game in Your Created World

Running a game in a world you've created can be exciting and rewarding. However, it's important to stay consistent and true to the rules and lore that you've established. Keep a notebook open during gameplay to jot down new lore, NPC names, and character actions.

Consistency is key in maintaining a believable and immersive world. By sticking to the rules and lore you've created, you ensure that the actions and decisions of your players have consequences and meaning within the world.

Remember to engage your players and encourage their creativity. Allow them to shape the world through their characters' actions, and be prepared to adapt and respond to their choices.

Conclusion

Creating a unique and immersive world for your Dungeons & Dragons game or storytelling venture takes time and careful consideration. Camp Fire provides a valuable tool for organizing your thoughts and keeping track of important details, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a captivating world with rich lore, complex characters, and engaging conflicts. Remember to start small, fill in details as you progress, and stay consistent with the rules and lore you establish.

With Camp Fire and your imagination, you can embark on a storytelling journey that will captivate both you and your players. So, start building your world today and let the adventures begin!