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Index
CREATING PLACES
The Art of World Building
Volume 2
by Randy Ellefson
Table of Contents
Introduction
Where to Start
About Me
Free Book
Disclaimers
The Chapters
Chapter 1 - Case Studies
Chapter 2 - Creating a Planet
Chapter 3 - Creating a Continent
Chapter 4 - Creating Land Features
Chapter 5 - Creating a Sovereign Power
Chapter 6 - Creating a Settlement
Chapter 7 - Travel Over Land
Chapter 8 - Travel by Water
Chapter 9 - Travel in Space
Chapter 10 - Creating Time and History
Chapter 11 - Creating Places of Interest
Bonus Chapter 12 - Drawing Maps
Templates and Newsletter
The Podcast
Images
Creating Life (Volume One)
Cultures and Beyond (Volume Three)
Chapter 1—Case Studies
Case Study 1—Two Straits and a Sea of Enemies
The Sea of Fire and Straits
The Equator
Erizon
Kysh
Niora
Rone
Marula
Pell
Naming Considerations
Case Study 2—Stopping an Empire’s Expansion
Case Study 3—Mountains and Murder
The Winds and Rain Shadows
The Powers
Chapter 2—Creating a Planet
Rotation
The Sun’s Impact
The Moon(s) Impact
Tidal Locking
Tides
The Seasons
Hours in the Day
Moonlight
Other Planets in the Solar System
Stars Above
Constellations
Dark Constellations
Passing Asteroids and Comets
Understanding Climates
The Equator’s Role
The Ocean’s Role
Understanding Zones
Prevailing Winds
Rain Shadows
The Climates
Where to Start
Chapter 3—Creating a Continent
Multiple Continents
Which Hemisphere?
Seasonal Issues
Understanding Plate Tectonics
Convergent Boundaries
Divergent Boundaries
Transform Boundaries
Seas vs. Oceans
Bays and More
Islands
Where to Start
Chapter 4—Creating Land Features
Mountain Ranges
Mountains
Volcanoes
Characterizing Mountains
Water
Rivers
Lakes
Forests
Forest
Woodland
Savannah
Jungle
Characterizing Forests
Prairies/Grasslands
Wetlands
Mires
Marshes
Swamps
Deserts
Settlements
Cultivation
Where to Start
Chapter 5—Creating a Sovereign Power
Sovereignty
External Sovereignty
Internal Sovereignty
Gaining Sovereignty
Losing Sovereignty
Other Factors
Conclusion
Roles
Head of State
Head of Government
Ministers
Branches of Government
Parliamentary Systems
Government Types
Authoritative States
Democracies
Federations
Monarchies
Oligarchies
Other Government Types
Choosing a Government
How Many Powers to Invent
Invent for Today
Population Count and Type
Inclusion
Exclusion
Numbers
World View
Language
Customs
Location
Climate
Relationships
Causes of Tension
Internal Conflict
Ways to Identify the Power
Symbols
Colors
Flags
Slogans
Reputation
Where to Start
Chapter 6—Creating a Settlement
Determine Location
Climate
Terrain
Water Supply Type and Location
Old Town Considerations
Who Are the Neighbors?
Population Considerations
Which Species Are Here?
Who are the Leaders?
Important People
Population Dispositions
Quarters
Understanding Zoning
Settlement Types
Outposts
Castles
Villages
Towns
Cities
In Space
Defense and Offense
Fortifications
Which Armed Forces Are Here?
Determine History
Local Lore
How it is Known?
Reputation
Colors
Symbols
Slogans
Products
Secrets
How Many Places to Create
Where to Start
Chapter 7—Travel Over Land
Mode of Travel
Walking
Riding On Land
Flying
Obstacles
The Impact of Terrain
The Impact of Life
Calculation Preparation
Get Organized
Measure
Scale
Base Miles per Day (BMPD)
Terrain Modifiers
Other Modifiers
Calculations
Pre-Set Calculations
Custom Calculations
The Template
Schema Sheet
Travel Sheet
Manual Travel
Area Sizing
Lastly
Where to Start
Chapter 8—Travel by Water
Ship Terms
Masts
Yards
Sails
Ship Rates
Ship Types
Long Ships
Round Ships
Privateer
Ship Speeds
By Oars
By Sails
On Rivers
Weapons
The Cannon
Alternatives
Ship Personnel
Warriors
Wizards
Species
Where to Start
Chapter 9—Travel in Space
The Realities of Space
Propulsion
Air Breathing Engines
Space Engines
Distance
Travel Time
Ship Structure
External
Internal
Where to Start
Chapter 10—Creating Time and History
Why Create History?
Sample Entries
Creation Myths
Time
Measuring Time
Minutes and Hours
Universal Calendar
Creating Ages
Uses for History
Historical Event Categories
The Gods
Technological Events
Supernatural Events
The Rise and Fall of Sovereign Powers
Wars
Groups Forming
Artifacts Discovered/Invented
Missions Undertaken
Where to Start
Chapter 11—Creating Places of Interest
Ordinary Places
Catacombs and Hidden Passages
Step Wells
Monuments
Graves
Extraordinary Places
Underwater Settlements
Floating Settlements
Other Unusual Homes
Phenomena
Ruins
Shipwrecks
Source of Fame
Event Sites
Meteors
Where to Start
Chapter 12—Bonus: Drawing Maps
Continental Maps
Should You Draw One?
How to Create One
Drawing the World
Settlement Maps
Should You Draw One?
How to Create One
Dungeon & Ship Maps
Should You Draw One?
How to Create One
Map Generation Software
Conclusion
About The Author
Other Randy Ellefson Books
Acknowledgments
Randy Ellefson Music
Bibliography
Appendix 1—Solar System Template
Solar Sytsem Name
Star
Planets Count
Galaxy
Name
Type
Planet 1 Name
Planet Type
Environment
Satellites
Moons
Appendix 2—Sovereign Power Template
Power Name
Government Type
Who Rules
Who Really Rules
History
Identifiers
Famous For
Symbol or Banner
Slogan
Colors
Location
Setting
Climates
Settlements
Unique Places
Relationships
Organizations
Sovereign Powers
Specific Accomplishments
Inventions and Discoveries
Places Built
World View
Languages
Society
Customs
The Inhabitants
Population
Armed Forces
Important Characters
Public Places and Occasions
Notable Festivals and Holidays
Notable Buildings, Establishments, and Guilds
Appendix 3—Settlement Template
Settlement Name
General
Alliances
Identification
Famous For
Location
Setting
Relations with Other Settlements and Places
Important Features in Town
Local Lore
Products
History
Year Founded
Wars
Battles
The Inhabitants
Leaders
Influencers
Population
Religion
Armed Forces
Important People
Nearby Monsters/Creatures
Public Places and Occasions
Religious Temples and Sites
Festivals and Holidays
Taverns and Inns
Guilds
Equipment Shops
Special Considerations
Supernatural Phenomenon
Unknown
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