A Worldbuilder's Guide to Magic

A Worldbuilder's Guide to Magic
Author: Brent A. Stypczynski
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 207
Release: 2021-10-12
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 1476644888

Constructing a functional system of magic that helps readers suspend disbelief is a crucial part of worldbuilding in the fantasy genres. Yet creating a believable, compelling and original fictional universe can be daunting. To help inspire writers, this guide provides an overview of how magic has been understood in history and used in myth, legend and modern fiction. Different forms of magic are explored and a broad range of stories--from Nordic myths to modern novels--are described and referenced. Discussion explores how magic as a concept shapes, and is shaped by, fictional worlds and societies.

Fantasy Map Making

Fantasy Map Making
Author: Jesper Schmidt
Publisher: Fantasy Publishing
Total Pages: 172
Release:
Genre: Reference
ISBN:

Have you ever struggled with map making? Spent countless hours trying to make it comply with the laws of nature? This book is a step-by-step guidebook that will teach you how to create an authentic fantasy map. You will gain all the knowledge necessary to complete a map which your audience will believe, no matter if they are readers, viewing a movie, video game players, or role-playing gamers. It contains the exact process I use when creating maps for my fantasy fiction. I have spent countless hours researching and learning about the topography of Earth and how to apply it to a fantasy map so that you do not have to. I have translated it all into 14 easy steps which allow you to construct an entire fantasy map from start to finish. Step One: What you need to consider before starting your map. Step Two: The different options for creating the map: from hand-drawn over software to hiring a professional. Step Three: An overview of what is to come. Step Four: Sketch your map and make sure to get size of the world just right. Step Five: Adding continents by understanding how tectonic plates work. Step Six: Terraforming your world. Step Seven: Incorporating islands and lakes. Step Eight: Making sure that rivers are realistic. Step Nine: Adding forests. Step Ten: Borders and understanding how the lands will affect the people who live on them, and vice versa. Step Eleven: It’s then time for roads. Step Twelve: Optional fantasy elements. Step Thirteen: The final touches. Step Fourteen: The Map Master. As a companion to this book, you will be able to download a free worksheet. This is not a book to teach you how to draw. It’s about designing.

Kobold Guide to Worldbuilding

Kobold Guide to Worldbuilding
Author: Wolfgang Baur
Publisher:
Total Pages: 124
Release: 2012-12
Genre: Fantasy games
ISBN: 9781936781119

The Essential Elements for Building a World Roleplaying games and fantasy fiction are filled with rich and fascinating worlds: the Forgotten Realms, Glorantha, Narnia, R'lyeh, Middle-Earth, Barsoom, and so many more. It took startling leaps of imagination as well as careful thought and planning to create places like these: places that readers and players want to come back to again and again. Now, eleven of adventure gaming's top designers come together to share their insights into building worlds that gamers will never forget. Learn the secrets of designing a pantheon, creating a setting that provokes conflict, determining which historical details are necessary, and so much more. Take that creative leap, and create dazzling worlds of your own! Essays by Wolfgang Baur, Keith Baker, Monte Cook, Jeff Grubb, Scott Hungerford, David "Zeb" Cook, Chris Pramas, Jonathan Roberts, Michael A. Stackpole, Steve Winter, with an introduction by Ken Scholes. NOMINATED FOR TWO ENNIE AWARDS: Best Writing and Best RPG-Related Book Praise for Prior Kobold Design Guides "Highly recommended for gaming nerds everywhere." --CityBookReview.com "If you're an aspiring pro this book is a must. If you're a rules hacker like me, this stuff is solid gold." --Berin Kinsman, UncleBear Media "A fantastic collection ... A solid 5 star rating." --Joshua Guillion, AdventureAWeek.com "An amazing collection ... from some of the best designers and writers creating role-playing game material today." --Brian Fitzpatrick, BlogCritics.org

Wailing Tempest

Wailing Tempest
Author: T.B. Phillips
Publisher: Andalon Press
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2021-04-23
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Corruption is the Price of Balance, and Realms are Crumbling… Our story begins long after a monster crossed through an open portal – a human filled with greed. His presence wreaked havoc on two lives and left behind a dire war. Blinded by conceit, he set his own world on a path to prosperity but corruption is slowly destroying the other realm. Now the world is stained and hearts are filled with hatred, fear, and vengeance against one another. Only one girl can travel through the portal, and she must journey to the human realm in an attempt to set things right. Alistaria, the daughter of arrogance, must challenge Lord Radviken, the man who stole away balance. Award Winning author T. B. Phillips crafted a fresh tale of warriors, banshees, magic, and thievery! Prepare to meet mythological creatures, thrilling action, and humorous side adventures! With vivid imagery, Wailing Tempest is a fascinating blend of fantasy. Winner of Two eLit Awards in 2022! “Beautifully written, complex and touching story” - Amazon Reviewer "A phenomenally active read, Wailing Tempest is an engrossing story to keep you guessing from beginning to end!" - Manybooks "Wailing Tempest is an amazing story filled with magic, fantasy, and mythical creatures. The world-building is fantastic!" - Kristen Baney (Reedsy Discovery)

The Worldbuilder's Journal of Legendary Adventures (Dungeons & Dragons)

The Worldbuilder's Journal of Legendary Adventures (Dungeons & Dragons)
Author: Official Dungeons & Dragons Licensed
Publisher: Clarkson Potter Publishers
Total Pages: 370
Release: 2020-05-12
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 1984824635

An official Dungeons & Dragons journal featuring 365 writing prompts to help role-players of all levels get their creative juices flowing. Building something from scratch is exciting, but it can also be a challenge. Within this journal lie 365 prompts to help you start your journey. Every page will steer you to strengthening the details of your world, whether you're playing within the vast Dungeons & Dragons cosmos or creating a landscape of your own design. You'll encounter insightful questions that encourage you to delve deep into the backstories of your characters and their enemies, and what drives them to a life of adventure. You'll also see prompts that reference D&D myths and legends, some familiar and others more obscure. Answer them as best you can or let them be the spark that starts your journey into the endless realms of D&D lore. Above all, this guided journal, like D&D itself, is driven by your imagination. There are no wrong answers, paths, or rolls here (though once the game begins there are no guarantees). Nor do you need to be a master storyteller, writer, or artist. You just need to aspire to create and have the courage to build something you may have never before imagined.

Necromancer Awakening

Necromancer Awakening
Author: Nat Russo
Publisher: Erindor Press
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2016-05-28
Genre:
ISBN: 9780996005937

"Knowledge in the absence of wisdom is a dangerous thing." Texas archaeology student Nicolas Murray has an ironic fear of the dead. A latent power connecting him to an ancient order of Necromancers floods his mind with impossible images of battle among hive-mind predators and philosopher fishmen. When a funeral service leaves him shaken and questioning his sanity, the insidious power strands him in a land where the sky kills and earthquakes level cities. A land where the undead serve the living, and Necromancers summon warriors from ancient graves to fight in a war that spans life and afterlife. If Nicolas masters the Three Laws of Necromancy, he can use them to get home. But as he learns to raise and purify the dead-a process that makes him relive entire lifetimes in the span of a moment-the very power that could bring him home may also prevent his return. For the supreme religious leader, the Archmage Kagan, has outlawed Necromancy, and its practitioners risk torture and execution. As warring nations hunt Necromancers to extinction, countless dead in limbo await a purification that may never come. Nicolas's power could be his way home... Or it could save a world that wants him dead.

A Worldbuilder's Guide to Societies

A Worldbuilder's Guide to Societies
Author: Brent A. Stypczynski
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 244
Release: 2023-09-29
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1476693633

In fantastic worlds like Gondor, Westeros, Ankh-Morpork, Waterdeep, and Hogsmeade, the societies that inhabit them play important roles in capturing the feel of their settings. Societies create characters and plots, provide space for action, and reflect history. Building vibrant and interesting societies is a core element of worldbuilding in the fantasy genres. This guide walks the reader through different aspects of societies to help construct fictional worlds with greater ease. Examples of societies built by numerous authors in the fantasy, urban/modern fantasy, and paranormal romance genres are interwoven to illustrate concepts. Throughout, this book is descriptive and suggestive rather than prescriptive, and is intended to inform as well as inspire the worldbuilder.

Gary Gygax's Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds Volume 3

Gary Gygax's Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds Volume 3
Author: Gary Gygax
Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2002-12
Genre:
ISBN: 9781931275224

For the vigilant writer, driven publisher or game designer, Volume 3 of the Gygaxian Fantasy World series drives forward the gathering host of information brought to you by the Gygaxian Fantasy World series. From the encampments of common folk and wanderers to the teeming streets of walled towns, this work brings the fantastic world of magic to life. Game designers captain their own creations when they master knowledge of the high and low, the hamlets and towns, cities and castles and all that accompanies life in a world of our own imagining. More than that, Everyday Life breathes strength into the arms of your imaginings with pirates and palace life, eating and entertainment, villains and vagabonds, communications and commerce. Whatever is found in the daily life of a typical fantasy world is covered herein. Sound the note of world creation with Gary Gygax's Everyday Life.

The A-Zs of Worldbuilding

The A-Zs of Worldbuilding
Author: Rebekah Loper
Publisher:
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2017-09-30
Genre:
ISBN: 9780692850558

Worldbuilding is the ultimate act of creation for speculative fiction writers, but how exactly do you worldbuild? You ask 'what if' and use each answer as a springboard to more questions and answers about your fictional world. In The A-Zs of Worldbuilding, that 'what if' process is broken down into 26 themed chapters, covering topics ranging from architecture to zoology. Each chapter includes a corresponding set of guided exercises to help you find the 'what if' questions relevant to your story's world. Fair warning, though: worldbuilding is addictive. Once you get started, you might never put your pen down again.