Character background question: Setting creation

[Alpha]

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.

[Tom]

Basically, the guidelines 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.

[Indirik]

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. 

[Alpha]

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.

[Zakilevo]

what about religions for the south? can we make that up as well?

[Nathan]

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.

[Indirik]

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.

[Tom]

I agree we should have a basic map.

I just don't have one right now.

[Zakilevo]

Maybe just for the SM map we can make one from AoW2?  to be quick?

[Tom]

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.

[Zakilevo]

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 didn't work very well though).

[Tom]

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?

[loren]

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 ;-)

[Zakilevo]

Sounds good 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.

[Tom]

Sounds good 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.