Larian Studios

Well, we never really defined the appearence or subtleties of races. In my view of fantasy, humans, elves and dwrafs all evolved from the same monkies. I see no problem with the same here. After all, monsters, aliens, etc. are also welcome.

monkeys:

how about gods, elves are gods protectors of the world and dwarves a mishap of a inpatient angel (tolkien)?

or just darwin?

I'm happy for you to work out the specifics, even if they just "are". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

...although the set-up has great potential for something other than one more of those many tolkienesque fantasies...

Yes, I know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That's why I ask. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

The reason Manatopia feels like the real world is because it is geographically the same and the races are based upon the real human cultures. Also, the era, the Industrial Age, is something we can relate to in our time. Most of this was done to ease the creation process and assist others in understanding the world we have made without having to memorise a tome of world history. Tolkien races are handy in that they are commonly recognised and understood, hence they can easily be inserted into the story. I do agree there is far more imaginative potential available in this world.

What matters most is that you are comfortable with your character. I'm happy to help anyone develop their character or posts. Just PM or email me.

this world is harder than a tolkien inspired one, but I like it more challenging.

in what sense challenging, Draggy? the whole global crisis? conflicts between nations? political intrigue among those in power for certain nations too big for their own good? or just good ol' inner conflict? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> sorry. can't resist that one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

the way i see it, short of global ones which will affect everything, why not?

but let me clarify things first;

1. La Fille is currently writing up details/info/background/history for Karatunga's Land.

2. i am writing up details/info/background/history for Seat of Heaven.

3. Glance is writing up details/info/background/history for EMC.

so if anybody's character is to start anywhere in those places, do look up for the relevant people for consistency in the whole thing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> we're still writing so things are not set in concrete yet.

Tolkien-esque is ok but quite boring by now as almost everything fantasy is always based on that & nothing unique. so here's our chance to make this world a beautifully unique & colourful universe which Tolkien-esque can be part of but not define all of it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Great work people! Could you please PM me a work in progress of what you've done. I might have a go at developing Persia and I want to make sure I can tie in into the same format as yours.

Well, I read this, and tried to post something that didn't say anything about the history of anything, except maybe angry people in persia, some sort of alliance between some people in the EMC and rich business people in Persia.

Tell me if it needs to be taken out though, please.

Well, after the mess with Seth deleting his post, I decided I liked how he started his off, a guy somehow coming out of nowhere <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

not sure about how Seth started off (i hope he's still interested in this), but u can always start off mysteriously. but of course u will need to start somewhere as in place & when (before the tectonic shift or after).

since u have an idea on where to start, u know who to look for. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> have fun. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

edit: Lews, i love the start of your story. it's really mysterious & it has details though there are some held back to make readers hungry for more. very good. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" /> business man, eh? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Questions to the "world builders" (others free to give their opinion):

Measurement system (Lews mentioned km/h) - metric or other; universal or not?

Same would go for money - if I compare it to our world in the 19th century, and think of England versus the rest of the world (Any of you are old enough to know that the guinea had 21 shilling, the pound 20 shilling, the shilling - <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" /> - was it 12 pence? <-> or a decimal system? => or a binary or duodecimal (12 based) system?

Is paper money common?

Hm, I think it would be quite challenging to have several currencies. Maybe we could use one currency for each conglomerate / country plus Manavices as something which can be traded ? I mean that manavices can be used everywhere by everyone - and now, with the chaos in the mana flow, it could even become precious ?

About length measures : No clue.

In fantasy (not high-fantasy) you could just make up races, the world while your writing, in manatopia, the world is somewhat predefined, so you have to write into this world wich is harder than just improvising everything, thus more challanging.

Because we are writing a story rather than playing a numbers game, I don't think that units of measurement or currency matter that much. People can simply write "He paid for the goods" and "He exchanged enough money to Lira to live comfortly for the next week." If someone (as I can forsee for Lews' character) is involved with cash or vast sums of money, perhaps give a comparison of what it could buy: "We're going to make millions each! Which tropical island do you want?"

For measurement, I'd be inclined to say metric (the international standard), but, for the comfort of the writers, as long as they state the units – miles or k's (kilometres), pounds or kilograms, Fahrenheit or Centigrade, etc. – that should be sufficient.

What do you think?

Alrik, just curious where your character is from? I'm taking a guess at The Dark Continent or Karatunga's Land. I realise it doesn't matter entirely given his unique nature, but it may become interesting and useful later on.

I'm still quite uncertain where my character comes from, too ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />

It could be both. I mean, it would be in both "countries" plausible.

This is something completely new for me, something I haven't done before ! I'm quite interested and excited how it will develop ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Well - I do think that things like measurements matter, and be it only for the sake of consistency and the understanding of the readers.

I suggest metric and universal for industrialized/technological areas - however 'tribals' would in my opinion tend to use 'thumb', 'handspan', 'pace', 'man-heighth' and the like.

On currency I favor a multitude - and not all must be based on metal (!).
Let's keep it decimal, though.

Remember the setting is the early 1900s - at that time

- literacy was high (in technologically developped areas), but far from 100%;
- agriculture was spread much more than industry. Though the big fortunes were made in the latter, the majority of the people were poor;
- not everybody had a watch, timekeeping was not by seconds or minutes;
- ...

As HandEFood said, there is ways around a lot of those traps - but watch out for them.

Note:
Lews mentioned airplanes - are we, do we want to be, at that stage yet?

Hi everyone!

I'm totally unaware of how these common stories take form, how it works usually on the creation aspect, etc., so this is quite an adventure for me thus far. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
I wanted to tell you all the way I work for the creation of Karatunga's Land, and also let you know that anybody who'd feel like giving it a hand would be welcomed and appreciated. I'm open to any comment, idea or suggestion... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My actual way to create the setting of the Red People is to inspire from the North America's First Nations; I'm currently making a kind of synthesis of their lifestyles/cultures/social organizations/spirituality at the time of contact with the first Europeans. I'm still working on the research/info gathering on the pre-contact peoples part but already have a good overview that I'm puting up into a kind of "dossier"; I have a general idea of what Karatunga's People should be like but haven't begun writing it. I'll complete the synthesis before getting into that, wich should be in (max) about 2 days. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> I hope I don't slow anyone in its process? I'll be glad to share what I have thus far with any person interested and to adapt myself to their views. Don't hesitate to communicate with me via PM or e-mail.
Since in our world the outsiders won't have taken the main control of the North American continent, the Red People shall be a bit like what would have been the evolution of the pre-contact Native American peoples if they could have relied on magic and if they had remained relatively "isolated" from the foreigner's settling, actions & influence (That's gonna be the case for the South American territory too, isn't it? I mean for the colonization aspect?).
By the way, is the Mexico part of the Dark Continent or Karatunga's Land? IMO it should be included in the Dark Continent because of the culture and lifestyle of its aboriginal peoples, but what do you others think about it?.

I suggested to HEF that I make a map of the Manatopia world; I already have a blank world map ready to be transformed & filled, and it would not be a difficult task to do if I could have precise enough info. We'd also be able to change/add/remove infos on it easily. If you find that it's a good idea, it would be nice, if you can and if it's possible, to give some definite geographic data about the world, the important places and the locations of your characters.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Edit: about economy; for the Red People, it will most likely be only based on trading for essential goods since these peoples live in close balance with nature, get the most of their subistance from it; and it's in their way of life to take only what they need, and not more. (But again, I'm open to any comment/idea/suggestion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> )

Just a suggestion : I just read about Rythok's character. He is somewhat connected to settlers of all type.

My suggestion is that my character could meet him, but I'm not sure now.


By the way, do we intend to form a party ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />