World Building???

[Dragon 661]

I am very surprised to find a lack of "World Building" resources / tutorials out there. I cant seem to find any software, forms, published books, etc.

I have found a couple forum posts which discuss in some good detail steps for building s brand new world, but I figured this would be a subject with quite a bit of available resources?

Anyone know of any good software, online tutorials or books for world building? I am looking for something step by step. Something which takes you from start to stop (at least for the most part).

Please let me know! Thanks guys!

[Dragon 661]

It is also important to note, I am wanting to take a "top down" approach, not a "bottom up". Thansk!

[Bill Kirsch]

There was a second edition book on exactly what you are talking about. I have it somewhere. I will attempt to find the title, unless of course, somebody beats me to it.

[pres man]

Dragon 661 wrote:

I am very surprised to find a lack of "World Building" resources / tutorials out there. I cant seem to find any software, forms, published books, etc.

I have found a couple forum posts which discuss in some good detail steps for building s brand new world, but I figured this would be a subject with quite a bit of available resources?

Anyone know of any good software, online tutorials or books for world building? I am looking for something step by step. Something which takes you from start to stop (at least for the most part).

Please let me know! Thanks guys!

I would guess that a lot of publishers wouldn't be interesting in making a product since they would prefer you to purchase their setting material rather than make your own.

[Are]

AD&D had a book called "World Builder's Guidebook", which might be what you're looking for. I haven't used the book myself, though, so I can't say how good it is at it's job.

[Bluenose]

Expeditious Retreat Press have/had their Magical Medieval Society line, which was excellent. Among the best books published for 3e D&D.

[Bill Kirsch]

Are wrote:

AD&D had a book called "World Builder's Guidebook", which might be what you're looking for. I haven't used the book myself, though, so I can't say how good it is at it's job.

That's the one. I used it a couple things. It's got several map templates for local, region, continental, and world scales plus lots of tables. It's worth a look anyway, and you can probably find it fairly inexpensively.

[Legendarius]

Bill Kirsch wrote:

Are wrote:

AD&D had a book called "World Builder's Guidebook", which might be what you're looking for. I haven't used the book myself, though, so I can't say how good it is at it's job.

That's the one. I used it a couple things. It's got several map templates for local, region, continental, and world scales plus lots of tables. It's worth a look anyway, and you can probably find it fairly inexpensively.

They also had a Dungeon Builder's Guidebook, but it wasn't as good in my opinion. Some good essays on the topic in the different Kobold's Guide to X Design. And different parts of the DMGs over the years.

[Dragon 661]

Thanks guys!
I found the World Builder's Guidebook, downloaded and printed out. Great resources, just what I was looking for. I also found this forum with a lot of good info:
http://community.wizards.com/the_jester/blog/2012/09/10/building_a_5e_world :_introduction

I think with both these, I should be good to go! :)

[Mixolydian]

I came across this as far as building all kinds of maps for landscapes, continents, cities, towns and dungeons...
https://secure.profantasy.com/default.asp
I'll probably end up buying it soon. Looks pretty good. I'd be curious to know if anybody else is using this and what their opinion is about it.