Difference between revisions of "Region Description Writing"
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| + | == Basics == | ||
| + | The lord of a region can add a region description to his region, after he has been lord for a while (to prevent region descriptions of regions that are disputed to be changed all the time). | ||
| − | A | + | A region description has no in-game effect. It's purpose is to add atmosphere and roleplaying hooks. The best game-experience results if all region descriptions are good writing and follow the same guidelines. Here are a couple guidelines. |
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| + | === Guidelines === | ||
| + | A good region description '''must''' be: | ||
| + | * '''Factually correct''' - it should not mention geographical features that aren't present on the map, or speak of bars that are nowhere to be found when a player uses the entertainment option. | ||
| + | * '''Neutral and objective''' - it is a description of the region, not a praise of its lord or the realm. It also should be written in an objective style and not assume actions on behalf of the reader - e.g. "as you walk through the city center looking for a tavern you notice..." will sound strange to an invasion force that came to loot the city to the ground. :-) | ||
| + | * '''Lasting''' - it should focus on unchanging facts, not on short-term news. | ||
| + | * '''Stylish and fitting''' - it should fit into the BM style (no tourism advertisement language) and it should be long enough to create atmosphere, but not so long that it gets tiring. | ||
| + | * '''Informative''' - it should contain new information, not repeat the information readily available on the region details page (e.g. population numbers, etc.) Ideally, it ''explains'' those game facts instead of just repeating the numbers. | ||
| − | === | + | |
| + | === Hints and Ideas === | ||
Here are some ideas to flesh out the region description: | Here are some ideas to flesh out the region description: | ||
Revision as of 13:37, 8 August 2007
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Basics
The lord of a region can add a region description to his region, after he has been lord for a while (to prevent region descriptions of regions that are disputed to be changed all the time).
A region description has no in-game effect. It's purpose is to add atmosphere and roleplaying hooks. The best game-experience results if all region descriptions are good writing and follow the same guidelines. Here are a couple guidelines.
Guidelines
A good region description must be:
- Factually correct - it should not mention geographical features that aren't present on the map, or speak of bars that are nowhere to be found when a player uses the entertainment option.
- Neutral and objective - it is a description of the region, not a praise of its lord or the realm. It also should be written in an objective style and not assume actions on behalf of the reader - e.g. "as you walk through the city center looking for a tavern you notice..." will sound strange to an invasion force that came to loot the city to the ground. :-)
- Lasting - it should focus on unchanging facts, not on short-term news.
- Stylish and fitting - it should fit into the BM style (no tourism advertisement language) and it should be long enough to create atmosphere, but not so long that it gets tiring.
- Informative - it should contain new information, not repeat the information readily available on the region details page (e.g. population numbers, etc.) Ideally, it explains those game facts instead of just repeating the numbers.
Hints and Ideas
Here are some ideas to flesh out the region description:
- Add some pure flavour info. Invent a local drink, folklore, custom or other things that add atmosphere
- Explain some of the oddities of the region - why does it border on region X? Why does the woodland region contain a slip of rural? Why does the city expand further than other regions? Why is it marked as a badlands type?
- Explain the origin of the region name -- does it mean something in the old tongue? Is it named after a local landmark or an ancient hero?
- What's the weather like? Does your desert region suffer from dust storms, is your coastal region humid?
Style
- Use adjectives to liven up the description. "The tall, white spires of..." is a much better description than "The fortress of ..."
- Don't overdo it with the adjectives :-) "tall, white spires" is good, "tall, white, bewildering, grey-marble spires" is almost certainly too much.
