World-Building Suggestions

[Solum]

Alright, I'm finally getting back to work on building the world, but I'm going to need some help. So, post any suggestions you want here on the following topics:

-The Mythic Era: Basically the creation of the High Elves and Humans and the rise of the Elven Empire and the starts of the Umano Empire

-The Elven Era: Continued dominance of the Elves, creation of the beast races, and the rise of the Umano Empire.

-The [?] Era: Starts with the Umano Empire and Elven Empires locked in war, which eventually leads to the breakup of the Elven Empire. This eventually leads to the creation of the rest of the races. Its the near the end of this era that the roleplay is situated.

Each era is approximately 2000 years or so.

[Phenominon]

I'm not sure exactly what kind of help you're looking for, but I'll try to help.

Two things I'm thinking, both of which deal with the world map and one of which is slightly off topic. I'll start with that one: for the map, could you include (or would you like me to work on) coming up with a rough topography (nothing too detailed, just the locations of major, known valleys, mountains/mountain ranges, large forests, etc.

Two, maybe make a rough political map (using your current one as a base) for each era?

Now, one quick question, completely off topic: are there places in the world not recorded in the map (yet)? i.e. is it possible (in the current era) for a character to discover an uncharted area?

One thing that might be worth working on are the rules and function of magic...

I've got a few other ideas, but they might be a little far out.

[Solum]

Actually, those maps you were talking about were something I was planning on doing anyways. I actually have sketches somewhere of the topography. But the political maps of the eras I can't do till I have more detailed idea of what to do in the areas.

As for uncharted places, there might be some locations in the wilderness that are uncharted, but the borders and stuff are known. In the future, if things really pick up around here, I might make some more territories or something.

And I don't care how far out the ideas are so go ahead and post them.

[Phenominon]

Actually, I was more wondering if the landmasses on the map were all of the landmass of the world or if there were possibly some other territories outside of the map.

And I don't care how far out the ideas are so go ahead and post them.
I don't know, I've got some pretty strange ideas. How do you feel about alternate planes of existence?

Also, is there anything I can help with in particular?

[Solum]

My answer is still the same because for now, I want to stick with those areas. But having landmasses outside of the map would make great plot ideas in the future.

As for alternate planes of existence, go in a bit more detail because I plan on the Divnas and Antivas all having their own little realms of sorts that work like that. Add in a possible spirit/underworld thing and there is quite a bit.

As for in particular, maybe the rest of the cities of the Umano Empire. I updated the world map, so you should see where all the cities are. Once I get a topographical map up we should be able to start describing the rest of the cities.

[Phenominon]

My thoughts exactly.

Alright then, I've got two ideas off the top of my head, and I can potentially come up with more.

The first idea (and the one that I think most fits with the world) is a plane of magic. I've got a few ideas for it's geography, my main idea being that it's a series of fragmented islands...I'll elaborate more later. More than anything else, it's designed to be chaotic but with a sense of partial order. More importantly, it could tie in to another interesting question, what is the function of magic (although it wouldn't have to).

My other idea is some sort of abandoned world. A world that the Antivia, Divina or both used to watch over but in which something went wrong and they have since abandoned it.

I think both of these would be fun additions, but I can see how they may not work given the current setting. Admittedly a big part of the reason why I want them to exist is because they'd be really fun to design.

[Solum]

That second one, the plane of chaos and all that, is already being partially incorporated into the creation myth I'm working on. It doesn't have the island sort of thing but...

As for the abandoned world, wouldn't fit with the creation myth I'm working on because the world of Solum is in fact the only world they made.

[Phenominon]

Yeah, I figured it was something like that.

Well, I've tried. I can't really do a whole lot without knowing where help is needed (or even where it can do any good). I'm happy to design something to fill in gaps or solve similar difficulties, or to work on something already partially made to similar effect, but I can't really help until I know where help is needed...

It seems like there isn't a whole lot I can do at this point. I can flesh out my ideas, or work on others where it's wanted. Just let me know where help is needed.

[Solum]

Well, the topography map is done if that helps anything.

[Phenominon]

That's good. However, I had a thought about the creation of cities: unless there's specific reason to do otherwise (e.g. for the capitals for example), it makes more sense to me to have them be created as needed (the technically exist beforehand they're just unknown). For example, Ticedo's hometown 'came into being' when he was created although it technically was founded beforehand. I'm suggesting we define towns as needed for specific characters for for storyline reasons.

[Solum]

Well, I got the Mythic and Elven Era's basically done, and a good chunk of the cities were founded then (see the Timeline in the History board).

As for the cities being created as we need them, that was kind of planned. However, I really wouldn't want to make them based on specific characaters.

[Phenominon]

I just checked it out, looks good. Haven't read all of it yet, I'll do that later. And again, if I can help with any of this let me know.

Ah ok. So, I guess I accidentally got away with the second one though...oops. ^^'