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"Listen carefully, young acolyte. All ores possess the metal spirit. All ores possess the desire for life. All ores possess the desire for freedom. But all ores dream the rock-dream, the unfire-dream. It is our calling, to set free the metal spirit trapped within the ore, and bring it to transcendent glory in the machine form, so that it might move and work and live and glow and change. Liberation of the spirit from the cold, unfeeling matter of the earth! Birthed into new life as a machine, not as some unthinking, unfeeling rock. What is our mission? To give life. What are our tools? Fire and coal and steam and water. Who do we serve? The ore, boy, the ore. The ore, and the spirit it contains. Remember my words, acolyte."
---High Priest Soterion, to an acolyte
Welcome to the Giant in the Playground Worldbuilding Project!
Here, us Playgrounders are making a Conworld (Constructed World) for fun. No other reason then that. Anyone can join if they want, there's no restrictions.
Now, understand that this World isn't going to be made for roleplaying. So there isn't any restrictions besides the Willing Suspension of Disbelief. And even then, that can go to hell if the idea works. It's our world!
Currently, the idea of the world is such:
The world is a sort of Clockpunk/Steampunk/Alchemypunk, which we dub as Gearchemypunk. It is ruled by three races. The Humans, the gnomes, and the crocadilian Sharlaq.
The humans are the aggresive ones, warlike and violent. Yet they are honourable and courageous. The humans seem to have a strange connection to magic.
The gnomes are the progressive ones, industrious and masters of the machine. They rule the skies from their floating cities, ready to strike when needed.
The Sharlaq are the traditional ones, peaceful and quiet. They work the farms and orchards all day. Yet at the same time, they are strong and steadfast in their beliefs.
Now, in general, this is a broad introduction. There are differences within the races, and nations. This, though, will give a good example of the world we are building.
While we do work on a whole variety of areas, we generally focus on one thing at a time. What we are working on at the time will be posted here.
Currently, we are working on: Cultural Stuff
Remember, anyone is allowed to contribute, and there's no such thing as a stupid idea, only a stupid person giving the idea.
With that said, roll up your sleeves, 'cause we've got some Conworlding to do.
World building without the limits of D&D rules may indeed appeal to people that have an interest in these sort of things but have little to no knowledge of campaign rules.
I worldbuild for absolutely no reason a lot, so this might be interesting.
So do I, I have two on my shelves sleeping slowly. One being country with an especially huge city (dwarfing Tokyo in size, for what's worth), the other being a full-fledged world.
But I'd be interested :)
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The Order of the Stick Jr.
Meet : Alexander, Joan, Ross, Leilandius, Hitomi, Ngoc and Arduvanius
As interpreted (and drawn) by yours truly, Yiuel
Yiuel LeMelvillois Only on blank paper do we write the best stories...
I particularily like mapping - so if you want me to, say, draw up a map and have people take it and develop it into something, that's an option. Like adding borders and locations and stuff. Probably would be a kinda backwards way if doing things though.
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Hourglass of Zihaja isn't made specifically for a campaign, although it is made to comply with D&D rules. This project does sound interesting, however. I like to create stuff. I don't have a real speciality, but I could do cosmology, races, organizations, and stuff like that.
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I'm willing to help If I have time. I'd probably do best working on the conlang, since I have some background in linguistics in addition to being trilingual.
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@ Darklord and Yiuel: Yeah, same. I got this idea while working on my conworld. I was thinking, "What if the playground got together and made a conworld?" Also, Darklord, we'll work on the map when the time comes, but thank you for the offer.
@ Cycoris: Sweet, thanks! I would work on a conlang, but I haven't really finished one, so it may accidently come out as a relexe or a sink basin.
@ Everyone else: Thank you for offering to work on it. This is gonna be awesome. And you can still join up after this if you want, there's no deadline to sign up, of course.
So, the first order of business, scifi, or fantasy?
Well, if we go with sci-fi, then we'd have to tackle the whole idea of terraforming and its role in said conculture. Then we'd have to come up with other values for conmoisture, conterrain and finally, conair.
....Sorry.
Anyway, I'm definitely intrigued by the idea as well. I've been an avid worldbuilder for quite some time, and I'd love to help out with something like this. I would probably focus most on the cosmology, races and maybe culture/politics, but I'll be like Lord Xavius and say I don't really have any specialization.
As for the business end of my post, well, I vote for a fantasy setting.
Possibly write stuffs(short stories and such) for mythology, etc.
Probably stuffs with politics/religions. But we're going to have to not do religion/politics/be very carefull with it/or go off-site.
My vote goes to fantasy as well.
Also, no elves(dunno bout dwarves)?,they've been pretty done and I think atleast one variation of them is in most fantasy worlds.
I full-heartedly agree about the elves. Elves are cool and all, but really, one of the few people who did it right was (who else) J.R.R.Tolkien.So yeah, no elves.
And about the religion/politics, as far as I know, it's fine, as long as we're not talking about real religion/politics.
as for general theme, i would like a fantasy + sci-fi, possibly steam punk... that might sound confusing, but what i mean, is a point where technology is around and its either A: in early stages of development or B: the world has been torn between technology and magic, where there are those who use magic, who object against technology and vice versa (then the crazy scientists mixing the 2 in secret)
blah, sorry, im talking crazy ignore me
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kallisti
Phn'glui mglw'nafh Roland GITP not-wagn'nagl not-fhtagn!
One vote for developing technology/similar to early renaissance/low fantasy. Blackpowder, primitive handcannons and smoothbore matchlocks?
And there simply must be an abundance of megafauna, like large quadrapedal herbivores!
Large Quadrupedal Herbivores. Because you can never have enough of them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlebottom
reporting for duty! this should be fun!
as for general theme, i would like a fantasy + sci-fi, possibly steam punk... that might sound confusing, but what i mean, is a point where technology is around and its either A: in early stages of development or B: the world has been torn between technology and magic, where there are those who use magic, who object against technology and vice versa (then the crazy scientists mixing the 2 in secret)
blah, sorry, im talking crazy ignore me
Welcome aboard, soldier.
Interesting. Steampunk is always fun. But maybe something a bit lighter tech.
So, right now, we have a general agreement on fantasy, with some suggestions of steampunk fantasy, and early rennaissance. I would go for something in the middle: Clockpunk.
Imagine, the world's machines running on gears and clockwork. It's my favourite Punkpunk setting.
I like steampunk/clockwork settings too, but allow me to be the first to add a caveat. If we do go with steampunk or clockwork technology, then we need to ready some hand-waves in order to explain how things work or it'll turn into a massive headache very, very quickly. Believe me, I know from experience. Trying to explain how steampunk spaceships work without magic is a recipe for insanity.
But how would they isolate the helium/hydrogen necessary to make a lighter-than air aircraft?
And I clarify, the world should have large dinosaur-like creatures, some of which are used as mounts. We should also include creatures the size of the Colossi from Shadow of the Colossus.
A wheellock gun is a real firearm device that used clockworks to strike a flint to ingite the powder. It could be easily included.
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But how would they isolate the helium/hydrogen necessary to make a lighter-than air aircraft?
And I clarify, the world should have large dinosaur-like creatures, some of which are used as mounts. We should also include creatures the size of the Colossi from Shadow of the Colossus.
A wheellock gun is a real firearm device that used clockworks to strike a flint to ingite the powder. It could be easily included.
Well, I guess unless we figure that out, it'll be put to the side.
Dinosaurs... while they ARE awesome, it all depends on how they fit into the world. What I mean by that is, well, right now, we have no general reason why dinosaurs would still be on the planet. We'll also put that to the side, until we get to the Fauna, at least. Is it okay with you?
The wheelock gun seems to fit, so sure.
Now, currently we have a Steampunk/Clockpunk fantasy world. Anyone else has any comments or suggestions?
Ooooh: alchemypunk. Think about it. Clockpunk is based on the idea that the designs of Leonardo et al were built and actually worked, steampunk is the extension of steam technology beyond the logical limits. Alchemypunk: where the works of Paracelsus and Nicholas Flamel actually work. And then we get "flammable air" (hydrogen) for use in our airships.
Alpharius 9, Conworld of the Federation: where, by the early years of the twenty-third century, the burgeoning Geekstorm had centered its annual, biannual, and quadriannual celebrations of its various fandoms. The conventions held on Alpharius 9 last now, not for a few days, but months at a time, as millions upon millions of nerds pour through SanDiegoComicCity's Central Convention and Gaming Matrix to partake of the sweet, geeky nectar therein. Visitors to the planet can rest assured that the damages from the Trekker/Trekkie civil wars of 2678 have been fully repaired, and the streets are once again safe to walk down while dressed as a Sailor Senshi. Alpharius 9: Drink And Enjoy!
So, the first order of business, scifi, or fantasy?
It could go either way, they also aren't mutually exclusive. Scifi tends to be a reflexion on what science can bring on us, while fantasy is playing with the metaphysics of the world. So both could be done in the same conworld.
(Also, I have background in linguistics, lots of linguistics, and urbanism, especially transportation schemes. May help a lot.)
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Spoiler
The Order of the Stick Jr.
Meet : Alexander, Joan, Ross, Leilandius, Hitomi, Ngoc and Arduvanius
As interpreted (and drawn) by yours truly, Yiuel
Yiuel LeMelvillois Only on blank paper do we write the best stories...
Make it clockpunk/ and chemicalsteampunk? This way we still get airships and such, but not really that advanced steampunk?
A other option would be to make steampunk just rarer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soterion
Ooooh: alchemypunk. Think about it. Clockpunk is based on the idea that the designs of Leonardo et al were built and actually worked, steampunk is the extension of steam technology beyond the logical limits. Alchemypunk: where the works of Paracelsus and Nicholas Flamel actually work. And then we get "flammable air" (hydrogen) for use in our airships.
(Paracelsus discovered hydrogen, by the way.)
Interesting ideas. Chemical Steampunk/Alchemypunk Especially. So, that would mean we'd have Clockpunk/Steampunk/Alechemypunk. Huh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soterion
Alpharius 9, Conworld of the Federation: where, by the early years of the twenty-third century, the burgeoning Geekstorm had centered its annual, biannual, and quadriannual celebrations of its various fandoms. The conventions held on Alpharius 9 last now, not for a few days, but months at a time, as millions upon millions of nerds pour through SanDiegoComicCity's Central Convention and Gaming Matrix to partake of the sweet, geeky nectar therein. Visitors to the planet can rest assured that the damages from the Trekker/Trekkie civil wars of 2678 have been fully repaired, and the streets are once again safe to walk down while dressed as a Sailor Senshi. Alpharius 9: Drink And Enjoy!
Lol!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Szilard
Okay. I got that you made up a world, but I had no idea why there was a con thrown infront of it. Thanks.
Anyway, I agree, there should be dinosaurs.
Like I said, we'll get to that when we get to the fauna.
Well now, what does everyone think of the Clockpunk/Alchemypunk Fantasy setting?
Clockpunk main with alchemy on the side is always good. Some fantastical element that isn't obvious with the world is definitely interesting though. I always like fantasy as mystical rather than elves and dwarfs running around town.
Some form of flying machines is a must though, be it the Da Vinci form of helicopters stuff or airships.
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