The holidays are busy, as usual, but I've had a chance to put a bit of ink on some geomorphs and actually scan them. Hopefully these look a good bit better than the last two (which are included, with two newer ones). Might need to find a better format than a regular page to display them, though.
A blog of stories and gaming.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Dungeon geomorph I
The research on the world building is still on-going, there isn't too much that's really interesting, yet. (I'm also job hunting, which takes up most of my time.) So, to fill in the gaps with something that might be interesting and/or useful I've decided to create some dungeon geomorphs.
I should note that I do not have much experience making these and part of this exercise is practice. The geomorph creation is extremely basic (just grid paper and pencil, my favorites) with some light photo editing to make them slightly more appealing. (Yes, I did say photo, I don't have a scanner on hand.)
I should note that I do not have much experience making these and part of this exercise is practice. The geomorph creation is extremely basic (just grid paper and pencil, my favorites) with some light photo editing to make them slightly more appealing. (Yes, I did say photo, I don't have a scanner on hand.)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
World building I.I
I'm still sorting out how often I'll post -- thinking three times a week will be adequate. I'll get it finalized later.
As for world building, I've had a bit of change of heart on the origin of the creatures and magic in the setting. My reasoning for this is the natural panic that such an even would bring would be far worse than the collapse of world-wide economies. I also want the period that the setting is primarily set in (the 1920's to 1930's) to really be focused on the criminal elements instead of the introduction of magic and weird creatures to the world. So, I'll be setting the origin back a little over a century, for now.
Currently I'm tying the resurgence of magic and monsters in with the finding of the Rosetta Stone. The stones (there are numerous 'Rosetta Stones' in this setting) are magical in nature and form the seals on the ancient magic and mythical creatures. Part of the reason they contain different languages was the use of ancient magic from around the Mediterranean together to form a powerful enough seal. The ancient languages, like the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, are still deciphered and translated thanks to these stones, but that is only after the seals had been broken.
As for world building, I've had a bit of change of heart on the origin of the creatures and magic in the setting. My reasoning for this is the natural panic that such an even would bring would be far worse than the collapse of world-wide economies. I also want the period that the setting is primarily set in (the 1920's to 1930's) to really be focused on the criminal elements instead of the introduction of magic and weird creatures to the world. So, I'll be setting the origin back a little over a century, for now.
Currently I'm tying the resurgence of magic and monsters in with the finding of the Rosetta Stone. The stones (there are numerous 'Rosetta Stones' in this setting) are magical in nature and form the seals on the ancient magic and mythical creatures. Part of the reason they contain different languages was the use of ancient magic from around the Mediterranean together to form a powerful enough seal. The ancient languages, like the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, are still deciphered and translated thanks to these stones, but that is only after the seals had been broken.
Monday, December 5, 2011
World building I
I've done a bit of research into what type of setting I want to create for the first set(s) of stories (or game material). Originally I planned to use some form of Steampunk/Fantasy/Noir that blended Victorian and Art Deco styles and periods together in an original world, but I've decided to simplify it quite a bit. I'm now looking at the late 1920's/early 1930's, likely based in Chicago, and focusing on Fantasy/Noir, using a good helping of Art Deco styling.
Background material so far:
Magic/fantastic creatures are not something that have 'always been' around in the setting, per se, but are introduced to it in 1929. In September of 1929, nearly seven months after the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, "Bugs" Moran's gang -- out to steal another of Capone's shipments -- happens to steal the wrong shipment. Instead of finding alcohol to sell they find ancient scrolls and tomes. One of the thugs, being literate but none too bright, happened upon a translation and instructions for a ritual. The gang brought the documents to "Bugs" Moran who, at first, dismissed them and was furious over their failure. Later, after cooling off, he went back to the documents to see if they might be of any worth and looked them over carefully.
No one really knew what drove him to enact the ritual, if the Massacre or his rivalry with Capone had anything to do with it or not, but that night, the night of September 3rd, 1929, "Bugs" Moran broke a seal that had separated our world from the world of magic for millennia. It was slow at first, sightings were few and far between, but eventually the world of magic and our own became ever more 're'-connected. Panic among the general populace increased gradually over the following weeks and, eventually, on October 29th, 1929 the stock markets crashed and the world slowly entered the Great Depression.
Background material so far:
Magic/fantastic creatures are not something that have 'always been' around in the setting, per se, but are introduced to it in 1929. In September of 1929, nearly seven months after the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, "Bugs" Moran's gang -- out to steal another of Capone's shipments -- happens to steal the wrong shipment. Instead of finding alcohol to sell they find ancient scrolls and tomes. One of the thugs, being literate but none too bright, happened upon a translation and instructions for a ritual. The gang brought the documents to "Bugs" Moran who, at first, dismissed them and was furious over their failure. Later, after cooling off, he went back to the documents to see if they might be of any worth and looked them over carefully.
No one really knew what drove him to enact the ritual, if the Massacre or his rivalry with Capone had anything to do with it or not, but that night, the night of September 3rd, 1929, "Bugs" Moran broke a seal that had separated our world from the world of magic for millennia. It was slow at first, sightings were few and far between, but eventually the world of magic and our own became ever more 're'-connected. Panic among the general populace increased gradually over the following weeks and, eventually, on October 29th, 1929 the stock markets crashed and the world slowly entered the Great Depression.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Note
This blog will act as a distribution point for short stories that I'm going to be writing soon. The stories are primarily for practice and experience, as well as exploration into settings and characters I wish to create. Any exposure obtained is a bonus.
I certainly won't claim to be an accomplished writer, nor top-class or professional in any way. I am, however, learning this trade step-by-step. Any feedback would be appreciated.
I certainly won't claim to be an accomplished writer, nor top-class or professional in any way. I am, however, learning this trade step-by-step. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)