03-20-2022, 04:27 PM
Section 9: Settings and Maps
A setting is best described as a time and place where an event takes place. A story tends to have two settings: the immediate surrounding like a room or town, and the world it is in. For instance, Pokemon is a world with monsters that can be captured, with adventurers usually in towns or roads. Usually, the first post by the GM describes one of both of these settings, with the immediate setting either as a gathering point or near the main setting of the game.
As you may guess, the most common setting would be Modern, considering we are living close to references. The next two common settings are Fantasy and Sci-Fi; there are plenty of games and shows that cover these genres in different yet similar ways. In fact, a GM is likely to base a game on whatever they just watched or played.
Just keep in mind that elements like magic and technology, which may seem different, can co-exist or not fit together.
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How to unite two different concepts
Like Sweet and Sour Pork, one kind of setting involves a mish-mash of concepts. The most common case is Magic and Technology, which are usually the focus of past Fantasy and future Sci-Fi. Ideally, these concepts are two different studies of the universe, one thought to die out and another being unnatural, yet some settings explore how these ideas work:
Isekai/Hidden World - A modern character heads into a hidden world of magic such as Hogwarts or the Boiling Isles, or being thrown into a fantasy world like in Konasuba and Shield Hero. There tends to be a connection between the character and the new world, such as a mentor or a system similar to an RPG UI.
The Tech Race - In magical worlds such as Warcraft and Lost Ark, some races are more inclined to technology like the gnomes and the cyborgs, usually since their predecessors or gods have a more mechanical form. Code Geass demonstrates the arms race in some Final Fantasy games where one nation is more technologically advanced than other nations, either due to access to a key resource or denying other nations the chance to exploit it.
Magecraft - Opposite to the Tech Race, some technology are able to replicate magic. This was demonstrated in Boruto where he used tools to replicate some Jitsus. This kind of setting can also be used with real magic; as the Nasuverse best points out, magi can do things that normal people can't, but their "spells" pale in comparison to what they consider true magic.
Another setting that meshes two concepts together is Steampunk, which imagines a technological advance if it happened during an early age like the Wild West.
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Scales of a Setting:
Room - Things here tend to be in sight and reach. Generally, no map is required, though it may help if you are doing an escape room. You can take care of things in seconds.
Houses - There tends to be multiple rooms. A map is somewhat useful if it is a bigger house or if the gameplay involves tracking players. Moving from room to room may take minutes.
Towns - There tends to be multiple houses. If it is a pitstop with the general RPG shops, a map would not be needed, but a bigger or flavorful town might find it useful. Moving from place to place can take minutes or hours.
Paths - From point A to point B. Generally does not need a map.
Mazes - A more complicated path. A map is optional as the alternative is to simply write down the correct path.
Continents and Countries - Places in relationship to each other. A map is optional yet flavorful. May take days to get from one place or another.
Worlds and Planes - Worlds that the setting has. A map is useful here and it is nearly impossible to travel from one place to another using common modes of transportation.
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Maps
Maps are one way to figure out how the setting works, usually on a spatial level. Some RPs can be played without a map, but it might be a useful tool to use if you need to keep track of certain elements or have a general plan of action.
First, let's see the scales of a setting:
Timeline - This is mainly useful for figuring out when the GM wants to introduce new elements. Some games like Day of the Tentacle can also mark down interactions that literally affect future effects.
Blueprint - Blueprints are common online, so it is possible to just grab one as a reference.
Arrows and Squares - One way to use the storyboard-like map is to link different rooms through their doors, adding in indicators of which paths are blocked and where special items are located, sometimes using arrows to determine if players can move back. Another way is to create a flowchart where the GM can check if players meet a certain requirement and work from there.
Grid - Common in DnD games, each grid represents a unit of measure which can be occupied by objects and tokens. If you don't have a board, you can use a spreadsheet. Player movement is rigid but they only have to worry about single front and back attacks.
Hex - Some games and variants use this six-sided grid since there is more freedom in uniform movement. However, some games may also use the extra spaces to widen the front and back attack areas.
If you are feeling adventurous, you may also use a board game as well. While some board games like Chess is useful for battle, some games like Monopoly can be used for events like racing.
A setting is best described as a time and place where an event takes place. A story tends to have two settings: the immediate surrounding like a room or town, and the world it is in. For instance, Pokemon is a world with monsters that can be captured, with adventurers usually in towns or roads. Usually, the first post by the GM describes one of both of these settings, with the immediate setting either as a gathering point or near the main setting of the game.
As you may guess, the most common setting would be Modern, considering we are living close to references. The next two common settings are Fantasy and Sci-Fi; there are plenty of games and shows that cover these genres in different yet similar ways. In fact, a GM is likely to base a game on whatever they just watched or played.
Just keep in mind that elements like magic and technology, which may seem different, can co-exist or not fit together.
---
How to unite two different concepts
Like Sweet and Sour Pork, one kind of setting involves a mish-mash of concepts. The most common case is Magic and Technology, which are usually the focus of past Fantasy and future Sci-Fi. Ideally, these concepts are two different studies of the universe, one thought to die out and another being unnatural, yet some settings explore how these ideas work:
Isekai/Hidden World - A modern character heads into a hidden world of magic such as Hogwarts or the Boiling Isles, or being thrown into a fantasy world like in Konasuba and Shield Hero. There tends to be a connection between the character and the new world, such as a mentor or a system similar to an RPG UI.
The Tech Race - In magical worlds such as Warcraft and Lost Ark, some races are more inclined to technology like the gnomes and the cyborgs, usually since their predecessors or gods have a more mechanical form. Code Geass demonstrates the arms race in some Final Fantasy games where one nation is more technologically advanced than other nations, either due to access to a key resource or denying other nations the chance to exploit it.
Magecraft - Opposite to the Tech Race, some technology are able to replicate magic. This was demonstrated in Boruto where he used tools to replicate some Jitsus. This kind of setting can also be used with real magic; as the Nasuverse best points out, magi can do things that normal people can't, but their "spells" pale in comparison to what they consider true magic.
Another setting that meshes two concepts together is Steampunk, which imagines a technological advance if it happened during an early age like the Wild West.
---
Scales of a Setting:
Room - Things here tend to be in sight and reach. Generally, no map is required, though it may help if you are doing an escape room. You can take care of things in seconds.
Houses - There tends to be multiple rooms. A map is somewhat useful if it is a bigger house or if the gameplay involves tracking players. Moving from room to room may take minutes.
Towns - There tends to be multiple houses. If it is a pitstop with the general RPG shops, a map would not be needed, but a bigger or flavorful town might find it useful. Moving from place to place can take minutes or hours.
Paths - From point A to point B. Generally does not need a map.
Mazes - A more complicated path. A map is optional as the alternative is to simply write down the correct path.
Continents and Countries - Places in relationship to each other. A map is optional yet flavorful. May take days to get from one place or another.
Worlds and Planes - Worlds that the setting has. A map is useful here and it is nearly impossible to travel from one place to another using common modes of transportation.
---
Maps
Maps are one way to figure out how the setting works, usually on a spatial level. Some RPs can be played without a map, but it might be a useful tool to use if you need to keep track of certain elements or have a general plan of action.
First, let's see the scales of a setting:
Timeline - This is mainly useful for figuring out when the GM wants to introduce new elements. Some games like Day of the Tentacle can also mark down interactions that literally affect future effects.
Blueprint - Blueprints are common online, so it is possible to just grab one as a reference.
Arrows and Squares - One way to use the storyboard-like map is to link different rooms through their doors, adding in indicators of which paths are blocked and where special items are located, sometimes using arrows to determine if players can move back. Another way is to create a flowchart where the GM can check if players meet a certain requirement and work from there.
Grid - Common in DnD games, each grid represents a unit of measure which can be occupied by objects and tokens. If you don't have a board, you can use a spreadsheet. Player movement is rigid but they only have to worry about single front and back attacks.
Hex - Some games and variants use this six-sided grid since there is more freedom in uniform movement. However, some games may also use the extra spaces to widen the front and back attack areas.
If you are feeling adventurous, you may also use a board game as well. While some board games like Chess is useful for battle, some games like Monopoly can be used for events like racing.
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