Interest Checks - Dawn of Worlds (Sirdcera)

I don't mind such things existing, I just think they should be things that come about due to divine influence rather than the default canvas that we all start with.

Assuming average rolls, 5 players, and 5 turns, we collectively can define 58". Assuming a standard sheet of paper (8.5 x 11), that's 58" out of a possible 93.5". That's 62%, on average, assuming there's no ocean to speak of. We can slaughter that thing with terrain elements, even more if we're more interested in climate shifting than creating geographical features. Whenever we shift the default assumptions, we advantage whoever is aligned with those particular features.

You don't want mountains and forests? That's cool, you don't have to build any. If I want a lot of volcanic activity and jungles, my preferences shouldn't be disadvantaged because you think they're boring. I certainly shouldn't have to come up with an excuse for volcanoes because we decided to throw tectonic activity right out the window by defining the world as a fungal growth on the back of a flying turtle.

As for doubling the first age, that's gonna end up throwing the pricing structure all over the place. Saving up 22 points for a First Age Race isn't nearly as prohibitive as it would be if you assume an average of 35 points total in the First Age. If we double the length, we'll literally have the ability to cover not only 100% of the map, but we'll necessitate modifying things put in place by other people ... in the first age ... the one characterized by a relative lack of sapient life. Meaning the one with the least opportunity for roleplaying.

Reminder that we're talking about play by post speeds ... with a once a week required posting rate.

I wasn't saying that there shouldn't be forests and volcanoes. In my opinion, it's a fantasy world, it doesn't have to follow realism - so why won't there be volcanoes on the back of a turtle or forests underwater? I guess it does depend on how much one wants to follow laws of physics versus magic versus whatever made up structure of the universe; probably should've discussed it before.

Boring was poor phrasing, sorry. I don't think more realistic features are boring by themselves, I mostly just find the "one blank continent" a bit too common. Like nothing is preventing an interesting word sprouting from it and there's nothing wrong with it, but if you can tweak it, it can be more interesting - at least to me. Even just an unusual shape, like a perfect circle, or a spiral.

Anyway, sorry for the yapping, didn't want to make it a problem. Nevermind all this, I'm probably not a very good fit for this game anyway if I'm both dragging the pace down and causing issues even at the planning stages. :D Sorry for the trouble.

PS: I don't think it's supposed to be a standard sheet of paper? I thought "large" was implying at least an A3.

No worries, I'm not offended or anything. I'm just trying a thing this year where I make less conciliatory statements when I'm presenting my perspective. The idea is that I don't undermine my own argument, but I do worry that I come off a little heated.

I'm still sorry about my posts being harsher then intended, I didn't mean it like that. My view of realism in fantasy is the default of "everything is possible, we'll rewrite laws of the universe to make it make sense later", so I just didn't think changing the base canvas will limit anyone in any way - I certainly didn't mean it to undermine your preferences, I thought they can work together. I just really failed at voicing that. XD

Anyway, I'll take a rain check on my interest in joining the game, if possible. A few days to think!

From my point of view starting with a blank canvas is just to give greater divergence from the norm. If you're going to have a world creation game then why pigeonhole yourself with Pangea? But I am ok with a random start template. Drop beans, dice, use a random generator. It's all good.

Simplifying a standard sheet of paper to 8x11 = 88 square inches. If we translate that to a basic earth sized world is about 2 million square miles = 1 sq inch. We can flex that to a Continental scale by reducing the scale to 1 million square mi per sq inch (1 in = 1,000mi). This can be cut to 100:1 for a smaller starting world.

While 5 rounds of 5 players with an average of 7 points gets you much of r 88, there is more than just terrain. Climate and other factors come into it. So if the default is something that goes against a significant # of players intents then I think it is fair to negotiate what the is.

We can use a blind bid auction to let players prioritize their preferences. 2 categories : shape and climate. Those interested will bid and the winery defined the default of that type with only 2 options to mix.
Ex shape all water, water & land mad outline, all land.
Ex climate : artic poles & tropic equator, all desert, all moderate.

To balance their influence the bid is the # of points each round they will lose for the privilege of defining the default, 1 to 7. Any who lose the bid get to place their choice on 1 grid per point in their bid.

I know this is outside the rules as printed but think it could be an interesting twist.

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Or we can each submit a default shadow and climate and roll a random choice for the winer.

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It's really up to the GM

I’m loving the back and forth since this is helping me consider things I would have never thought of!

As for a starting map (standard sheet of paper, large sheet of paper, digital map, etc.), I’m down for whatever.

One of my main goals I’m doing this is to help create a fantastical world for various systems (GURPS, Pathfinder, D&D) to play in.

The bidding sounds really cool, but I’m not that smart :) Would you mind giving an example of what a round would look like with the bidding?

Ultimately, each individual can manipulate what they’d like, but if the group isn’t for that, then we can make changes to the rules.

Basically for the bid option
Before round 1 the GM puts up a secret poll with "Shape" and "Climate" where any player who wants to bid votes on the option they want. This let's the other players know there is a secret bid.
The player then posts a note to the GM with their bid. After all bids are collected the GM get the specifics from the winner(s). Winners are not announced, just the results.
If there is a tie then the GM splits the map and designates regions each player controls with zones in between to blend the styles.
The bid is the number of points each round that the player loses to gain control of the default.
Minimum bid 1
Maximum bid 5
Winners determine the general type / default, not the exact details.
Ex global shape : Pangea , water world, archipelagos, all land, volcanic ...
Ex global climate : standard polar/tropic, hot desert, ice age, temperate, desolate, etc

The bidding idea sounds really cool! I'm down! :)

Sorry, just wanted to get the results for interest as of now. Please correct me if I am wrong :)

1. Psybermagi
2. Flyingsucculent (maybe)
3. Celestine

I'll keep updating the list as interest (hopefully) grows.

Are you still planning to start this? :3 Just checking in.