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Toms Other Games => SpellMaster III => SM General Discussion => Topic started by: Alpha on September 04, 2011, 11:39:09 PM

Title: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Alpha on September 04, 2011, 11:39:09 PM
I haven't been involved with any of the other SMs, so I have a few questions. Roughly how much leeway to we have in the creation of the known world? I'm talking in terms of cities, rural lands, and lords of those lands? I suppose I'm asking just how much freedom are we granted in world creation?

In terms of a character background, I'm thinking a younger son of a minor(just above landed knight) southern lord. To do this I would have to create at least a basic setting involving a city to which the minor lands are aligned, and the lands which the character's father owns. Slightly more for a complete background. In addition, I plan on create a scenario in which the character will have to go to the colonies.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 05, 2011, 01:16:25 AM
Basically, the guidelines (http://lemuria.org/SM3/welcome/rules) apply to world-creation as well, with the background I've published already in existence (i.e. writing against that would violate rule #2). Aside from that, unless your invention is so outlandish that it prompts GM intervention (rule #1), everything is possible.

Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Indirik on September 06, 2011, 04:15:25 PM
In terms of a character background, I'm thinking a younger son of a minor(just above landed knight) southern lord. To do this I would have to create at least a basic setting involving a city to which the minor lands are aligned, and the lands which the character's father owns. Slightly more for a complete background. In addition, I plan on create a scenario in which the character will have to go to the colonies.
Sounds like a good plan. My character background depends on there being a large city that he is from. From what I understand of the world setup, that would require it to be southern.

I'd really like to see a map of the world. I don't like just making stuff up out of thin air without at least something to go on. A map would help.  :(
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Alpha on September 07, 2011, 12:28:21 AM
I'd really like to see a map of the world. I don't like just making stuff up out of thin air without at least something to go on. A map would help.  :(

A map would be nice. I couldn't get the image of Westeros out of my mind when imagining the setting.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 07, 2011, 05:03:45 AM
what about religions for the south? can we make that up as well?
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Nathan on September 07, 2011, 02:15:28 PM
A map would be nice. I couldn't get the image of Westeros out of my mind when imagining the setting.

I'd prefer something like this as our map: http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7951/bmmap.png I think it allows for more user creation so that we can get our own world going instead of an assigned world.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Indirik on September 07, 2011, 03:19:52 PM
While I agree with your sentiments of wanting a completely blank canvas on which to play, I have to disagree. There needs to be some basic structure around which we play. To do otherwise is to invite so many different styles and incompatible stories, that the whole thing feels patchy, incomplete, and just plain awkward. Yes, having some GMs to arbitrate things will help it all fit together. But even so, I don't think it will be enough. I would greatly appreciate even a basic map that shows the continents, general landscape, cities, the north/south dividing line, etc.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 07, 2011, 06:33:02 PM
I agree we should have a basic map.

I just don't have one right now.

Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 07, 2011, 10:07:51 PM
Maybe just for the SM map we can make one from AoW2?  ;) to be quick?
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 07, 2011, 11:54:13 PM
Maybe just for the SM map we can make one from AoW2?  ;) to be quick?

Civ V

it's faster if you know how, and we don't need the detail level that makes it difficult for the other purposes.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 08, 2011, 02:15:00 AM
The biggest problem with civ 5 is that you cannot see the map itself without starting the game up. And the minimap is a huge blockage for the view. I have a map editor for the civ 5 and it is easy as hell to make a map out of it (I used it for the map contest :D didn't work very well though).
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 08, 2011, 09:37:50 AM
Yes, the switching between editor and game sucks. But we only need one screenshot, so it should be doable, don't you think?

How about I make the basic layout as I envision it, and you beauty it up?
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: loren on September 08, 2011, 02:21:12 PM
Civ 5 editor is easy peasy.  If only I didn't have a g/f on her way back from a 10 day trip to the azores to take care of this weekend ;-)
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 08, 2011, 07:04:53 PM
Sounds good :D I will add some terrain difference according to climates.

I will try to connect my laptop to my tv to increase the resolution. This will make the minimap look smaller. Making things look nicer once we get rid of the minimap.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 08, 2011, 07:12:40 PM
Sounds good :D I will add some terrain difference according to climates.

I will try to connect my laptop to my tv to increase the resolution. This will make the minimap look smaller. Making things look nicer once we get rid of the minimap.

I can run Civ V at 2560x1440 - that should do for a screenshot.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 08, 2011, 10:02:28 PM
VERY NICE :D

Are you going to add cities as well Tom?
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 08, 2011, 11:31:41 PM
VERY NICE :D

Are you going to add cities as well Tom?

not really. I'll just do the basic landscape. Then I'll upload the save file so whoever wants to can add details.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 09, 2011, 12:33:47 AM
Why don't you at least add one major city for each continent at least to give people the starting point?
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 09, 2011, 01:03:32 AM
Here's a basic map. I really didn't put all that much thought into it. In fact, if anyone wants to make a map from scratch, feel free. The basic concept should be southern lands, northern lands, some coastal, island, etc. colonies inbetween.

Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Nosferatus on September 09, 2011, 11:20:40 AM
Here's a basic map. I really didn't put all that much thought into it. In fact, if anyone wants to make a map from scratch, feel free. The basic concept should be southern lands, northern lands, some coastal, island, etc. colonies inbetween.

could someone make a screenshot of the map and post the jpg file?
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Tom on September 09, 2011, 02:32:06 PM
could someone make a screenshot of the map and post the jpg file?

it's not yet finished. And not yet official. Work-In-Progress. :-)
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: loren on September 09, 2011, 04:45:37 PM
The map doesn't have any cities on it ;-)  I'll putz about with it sometime later this weekend.  I opened it up last night and played some with it, seems straight forward enough.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Zakilevo on September 09, 2011, 05:25:17 PM
crap. my civ editor is broken. I have to fix it sigh..
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Indirik on September 30, 2011, 05:48:19 PM
The map doesn't have any cities on it ;-)  I'll putz about with it sometime later this weekend.  I opened it up last night and played some with it, seems straight forward enough.

Did you ever get a chance to look at this? Even a basic screen shot of the overview or something would be nice. It doesn't have to be fancy, just so we can get an idea of what we're working with.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: loren on September 30, 2011, 06:57:57 PM
Did you ever get a chance to look at this? Even a basic screen shot of the overview or something would be nice. It doesn't have to be fancy, just so we can get an idea of what we're working with.

Oops forgot to post, I'll do it when I get home.
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Indirik on September 30, 2011, 07:14:55 PM
Looks like Ironsun got it.

http://wiki.battlemaster.org/images/SME_map.JPG
Title: Re: Character background question: Setting creation
Post by: Valast on October 22, 2011, 04:29:20 PM
I realize I am late getting into all this...and not involved in the development... but I would like to add my voice.

In the case of having pre-designed locations such as villages and cities I have found they go a long way towards creating a new player friendly environment...and even older players and especially moderators/GM's have a preset gate way entrance thread so that no one ever becomes lost.  If someone wishes to enter the city/realm (state county what ever you wish to call the designated area) they must enter through the gate thread. 

um..ok I will shut up now because I am sure you guys have it well in hand ;) just wanted to point out the tips learned from www.tazlure.nl (a no disbanded game...but well worth checking out just to pick up on ideas)