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Recent content by huscarl

  1. huscarl

    Religion in a fantasy setting.

    I would suggest that look at the stories of other "prophets" like Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad and others. And prophets in fiction like Anasûrimbor Kellhus from R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing Trology. All of these prophets did not create a religion their disciples, followers and descendants...
  2. huscarl

    Magic System- Help!

    What about magic of artifice? If you want technology and magic to be "alongside" make the magic technology and technology magic. As for beards - it takes a long time to learn and thus the people that practice artifice are old(er) and have beards. Some things to think about... What is it that...
  3. huscarl

    Designing religions

    To address Red Star's original question.... Here are some more things to think about: What are the fundamental teachings of the religion? Once again - what is the creation myth that lies beneath it? What is valued by the religion? Wisdom? Tithings? Adherence to the "Way?" What is...
  4. huscarl

    Designing Religions: What Does the Shape of a Place of Worship Mean

    To respond to Insolent Lad and Saigonnus - I think out of doors and "open" shrines can fit into this discussion of shape. Thinking about a druid grove. I assume the grove would be mostly natural, but is it tended in any way to create a shape? Thinking about Stonehenge why was it a circular...
  5. huscarl

    Designing a Religion: Faith in Strange Places

    Congratulations Red Star you have started something. Hi OberonLordofSylva, Because of tropes, I immediately thought of Cthulhu when I read Old Gods, cultists & destruction. Can you provide us with a little more detail on the religions themselves? Is the Ocean a being or just the ocean that...
  6. huscarl

    Designing Religions: What Does the Shape of a Place of Worship Mean

    Hi All, To borrow the first part of the title from Red Star... I am beginning to think about cathedrals, chapels, churches, temples, shrines etc... What do the shapes mean? What shapes would these buildings take in your created worlds? What does a circular building mean over a square or...
  7. huscarl

    Designing religions

    I am also working on some religions for a setting. I think that mythology and origin stories are the place to start. Mythology informs culture and philosophy and out of that people create religion. The YouTube series from CrashCourse I think does a good job in helping one understand the...
  8. huscarl

    Help With Understanding...

    I was kind of cryptic on purpose, hoping to spark something from others. Not sure it that worked completely but thank you two for contributing. Looking to connect these dots into something coherent for world building and story. Some new insights: Myth has these comets as Wyrms (great...
  9. huscarl

    Help With Understanding...

    Hi All, I need some help understanding what this is trying to tell me: An ancient comet impact severely damaged civilization which has recovered to an extent. There are x number of quadruplets of black stone pillars made from the melted rock from the ancient impact crater. These are dispersed...
  10. huscarl

    Feline Themed Races

    Hi All, Don't forget the Kzinti from Larry Niven. While sci-fi one, could adopt them or a facsimile into a fantasy world. I also think there is plenty of mythology/fables around cats as shapeshifters in human society. One could also introduce a lycanthropic version of felines. Semper Fidelis...
  11. huscarl

    How do storms and floods affect culture?

    Hi, Are the climatic changes recent, i.e. within a single generation? Or have they been happening for generations. I think the people would try adaptation first and then if those strategies did not work then migration. Some adaptation strategies: dikes, elevated houses, sunken houses, mobile...
  12. huscarl

    Greetings & Introduction

    Hi All, I have dabbled in writing fantasy & scifi along with some poetry for quite some time. I am now getting more serious and getting words coded into electrons. My current primary focus is world building - mostly for an rpg campaign I am running with D&D 5e ruleset. At some point this...
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