A question I see often from new dungeon masters is: where do I start with worldbuilding? When you are sitting down to play a game around the table it helps to focus on the characters and build out from there. Locations, NPCs, and even religions can vary depending on the player characters. If there are no paladins or clerics, do you really need to flesh out every god and their religion? Likewise, if there are no rogues you may not have to have many details on the local thieves guild. However, if you are creating a world outside of a campaign then go where your heart desires. Wherever you decide to do worldbuilding is correct, as long as you enjoy it. You can always go back and edit, change, or start over because it’s yours. Having said that, the following resources have helped me the most when it comes to any type of world-building.
Worlds Without Number
The sheer amount of worldbuilding tables in this book is amazing. Not only does it help with top-level world details but also geography, nations, societies, governments, histories, faiths, ruins, communities, courts, and wilderness. However, my favorite is the many different tags provided for ruins, communities, courts, and wilderness that help you create characteristics and tropes for the corresponding point of interest. Combining tags is a great way to build distinct and vibrant locales in your world. It is itself a TTRPG, however I get the most out of all the random tables provided. The free version has all the random tables! Don’t forget the sci-fi version Stars Without Number, and the cyberpunk version, Cities Without Number.
Worlds Without Number Free version: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/348809/worlds-without-number-free-edition
Worlds Without Number Full version: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/348791/worlds-without-number?affiliate_id=3271765
Stars Without Number free version: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/230009/stars-without-number-revised-edition-free-version
Stars Without Number full version: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/226996/Stars-Without-Number-Revised-Edition?affiliate_id=3271765
Cities Without Number free version: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/449873/cities-without-number-free-version
Cities Without Number full version: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/449079/Cities-Without-Number?affiliate_id=3271765
Spectacular Settlements
This massive book provides so many options to help you build distinct and fantastical cities, villages, and towns. Not only does it give you building blocks for 6 different types of settlements but it also provides examples of each. These examples show how all the details you just rolled for come together into a cohesive whole. I have used this to create a few cities and villages for my own games. What I like most is that it provides many options to create diverse, distinct, and vibrant living communities. There are even tables for encounters, rumors, and taverns! If you are looking for help when creating cities, villages, and even fortresses this book is for you.
Dread Thingonomicon
This book from Raging Swan has some of the best random tables you will find. And it’s system-neutral! Some of the categories include lairs, crypts, shops, minions, caravans, warrens, ships, forts, hauntings, villages, undead, towers, taverns, events, landmarks, chases, deserts, and much much more. The result of 7 years of design and content, the Dread Thingonomicon has the right random table you need to fill your session with flavorsome verisimilitude. Seriously, this book is a lifesaver when it comes to filling out locations and adventures with details.
https://www.ragingswanpress.com/system-neutral/the-dread-thingonomicon
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