Tips For Great Homebrew Settings In D&D

Key Takeaways

Focus on a region to keep the campaign setting manageable in size.
Keep realism in mind with settlements, considering practicalities like food sources and governance.
Utilize natural formations on a map to guide the adventure and integrate threats into the setting smoothly.

As a seasoned Dungeon Master with over two decades of experience under my belt, let me share some valuable insights on crafting captivating tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) settings.

It’s indisputable that the Forgotten Realms is a highly influential gaming environment. Most role-players, except perhaps those who had their initial encounter with Dungeons & Dragons through the Curse of Strahd or something similar, have come across this classic high fantasy setting in some form, primarily along the Sword Coast. This timeless landscape, filled with forests, mountains, and dragons, is marked by well-known settlements scattered throughout its terrain, such as Baldur’s Gate.

If players have been captivated by Baldur’s Gate 3 or are seasoned fans eager to embark on world-building, there’s a high probability that a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game master (DM) will be creating their own realm for adventurers to discover. A well-crafted D&D setting can offer years of excitement and enjoyment, while a less successful one may cause every quest to seem dull. Here are some suggestions for budding DM’s aiming to create a thriving homebrew world.

8. Focus On A Region

Keep A Smaller Scope For The Campaign Setting

Observe how swiftly the setting transitions from “Forgotten Realms” to “The Sword Coast.” Typically, players don’t explore an entire continent within a single campaign. Even traversing a large region such as the Sword Coast is unusual. Regardless of a region’s size in the world, it should be proportionate to create a sense of liveliness, not just because the DM anticipates players to delve into every corner of that world.

Instead of starting the campaign by providing detailed information about the entire kingdom, focusing on just one province first allows players to immerse themselves in that specific area without feeling overwhelmed. However, as the story progresses, introducing neighboring provinces gradually helps players appreciate that this particular region is part of a larger world, connected to other locations within the realm.

7. Keep Realism In Mind With Settlements

Think About Practicalities

The intricacies of Baldur’s Gate 3 that contribute to excellent worldbuilding might not always be conveyed through conversations. Rather, a significant part of the game’s appeal lies in its authentic depiction of settlements and locations.

As a game enthusiast immersed in my homebrew world, here are some tips for crafting captivating settlements: From humble, unnamed hamlets to sprawling metropolises, each needs its unique touch. Even though I might not spell these out for the players, they’re crucial when they’re navigating through an area, especially in a campaign that unfolds within a vast cityscape.

Where does this settlement get its food from? Where does it farm or fish?
Why was the settlement built in this particular spot? What is remarkable about this location?
What particular lineages make up this settlement predominately? Is it homogeneous, such as a village almost entirely populated by Halflings? Or is it more diverse?
Who governs this settlement? Do they swear fealty to anyone?

6. Utilize Natural Formations

A Map Should Help Guide The Adventure

Moving from riches to perils, Baldur’s Gate 3 is exceptional at illustrating the concept of strategic positioning within a world. Aspiring creators of personal settings for gameplay might find it beneficial to employ user-friendly mapping tools like Wonderdraft or Inkarnate in their endeavors.

Utilizing this map, we can roughly sketch out the area’s geographical features. The DM has the flexibility to place particular dungeons and settlements based on their preference. However, there are a few points worth noting for better gameplay:

If a region is dotted with many small settlements, why? Is it fertile land?
Enemies like bandits typically have bases not too far from the main roads they rob. If a bandit group is far off and distant, why is this the case?
If enemies are dwelling in a particular region, such as goblins in a forest, why are they there? Are they endemic to the region, or searching for something?

5. Always Know A Bit More Than You Tell

Settings Work Best With Mystery

Does the government hiddenly control your kingdom by a clandestine group of vampires?

In role-playing games (RPGs), it’s characteristic to set up player expectations and then surprise them. Although not all elements from video games translate well into tabletop RPG gameplay, introducing characters with secret motives or locations with concealed histories can be engaging for players.

4. Have Grounded Threats

Threats To The Players Should Be Part Of The World

In order to effectively incorporate threats within your story’s environment, it’s best to make them integral aspects of the setting itself. For instance, if you wish to portray a dragon as an intimidating element of the world, here’s a suggestion:

A necromancer prefers to perform their shadowy rituals in solitude, making it logical for them to conceal their towering abode. So, where might they have secluded this fortress? If their village is exposed instead, one may wonder if they’re preparing to unleash an army of the undead upon the surroundings.

3. Integrate Player Backstories

Work With Players To Build A World

This method offers an engaging experience for players by encouraging their participation. For instance, if a player is a cleric of a specific deity, provide that deity with a background connected to the game world. It could be that the dominant religion venerates them, or alternatively, they might be an obsolete belief from ancient times.

If a character was raised as a street kid amidst a gritty urban landscape, could we say that the city they grew up in serves as the central focus or a close, significant part of the story’s backdrop, rather than a vague, distant silhouette on the horizon?

2. Make Players Feel Like Characters

Help Players Understand The Dynamics Of The Setting

One common error Dungeon Masters (DMs) commit is showering players with rewards from the beginning. If your campaign takes place in a kingdom and the queen, at level 1, asks the valiant explorers to embark on a quest, where will these players have room to progress as they advance in levels?

1) They’ve previously encountered and received recognition from the nation’s most influential political figure. It’s best for adventures to begin with modest tasks, allowing them to experience life authentically within this realm as it progresses.

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2024-12-01 01:08