Cool system for worldbuilding...

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 3:19 pm

It'd be a definite group effort, but this is pretty damn cool.

http://www.20by20room.com/2003/11/lexicon_an_rpg.html

Lowly Uhlan · Post by **Lowly Uhlan** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 3:47 pm

This looks awesome. Even if the world created was never used in a game, designing it would be a lot of fun.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:05 pm

Word. It'd be hella fun to put together a world with this, and then actually -play- in it...

Lowly Uhlan · Post by **Lowly Uhlan** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:34 pm

...maybe we could do this as a group...

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:14 am

Nice. Count me in for this game. :D

Chris

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 6:38 am

Quite cool. I'll give it a shot.

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 6:57 am

I looked this over... it looks like it would be fun.

Jonathan

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:17 am

This is what happens when you apply Balderdash to fantasy roleplaying. I like Balderdash so I imagine I would like this and I have always been a fan of interactive world creation though I have done it a bit differently.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:46 am

Okay, so when do we start? Do we start a new thread, do we want a particular number of people, and who gives us the theme to start with?

I vote Smartmonkey for that last one, as he found the game to begin with. :)

Chris

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:58 am

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~Okay, so when do we start? Do we start a new thread, do we want a particular number of people, and who gives us the theme to start with?

I vote Smartmonkey for that last one, as he found the game to begin with. :)

Chris[/quote]

I'm such a bonehead. I never even though to use the idea on the board. If Smartmonkey doesn't do it I say you go for it BP!

Quick reminder of the rules. Someone comes up with a theme. We each come up with an Encyclopedic entry for each letter of the alphabet. At C (?) we have to cross reference 3 previous entries that aren't are own. Do I have this right?

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:08 am

~~[quote="cczernia"]~~I'm such a bonehead. I never even though to use the idea on the board. If Smartmonkey doesn't do it I say you go for it BP!

Quick reminder of the rules. Someone comes up with a theme. We each come up with an Encyclopedic entry for each letter of the alphabet. At C (?) we have to cross reference 3 previous entries that aren't are own. Do I have this right?[/quote]

Actually, at B, you have to make 3 citations, one of which must be already written and the other two are phantom. But other wise, yeah. :)

Chris

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:28 am

I'd love to get in on this. I love world building, but I always seam to hit snags and never really get that far.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:42 am

Alright, I've decided I can't wait for Smartmonkey to come back and see if he wants to start one. I've got an idea for one we can do. :) This doesn't prevent Smartmonkey from starting his own, I wouldn't mind doing two at the same time. :)

So, everyone that wants to join in, let me know!

Chris

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:34 pm

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~So, everyone that wants to join in, let me know![/quote]

Me!

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:38 pm

I'm in

Lowly Uhlan · Post by **Lowly Uhlan** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:42 pm

I'm in.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 8:43 pm

I'd be happy to do one of these. Though I have no skill in HTML or anything like that... I was going to suggest a Tolkienesque world for this, but I'm curious to hear what you're thinking about Blanchprez.

If we do end up doing this, I think we might want to ask Winter or Mordraine to set up a board for it...

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:06 pm

~~[quote="smartmonkey"]~~If we do end up doing this, I think we might want to ask Winter or Mordraine to set up a board for it...[/quote]

Perhaps not a board but a space to place the encyclopedia as a link from the front page (you know with articles and games and those other sections no one looks at). Not only would it be cool to do but also fun to use and add to from actual play. To think, a San Diego fantasy RPG setting. Sounds kinda cool and with a number of locals actually playing it, well, do I need to go on.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:10 pm

Well, we need a few things to do this online.

A) Somewhere to keep all the entries.
B) Somewhere to keep the "phantom" entries straight, so we know what needs to be done.
C) Somewhere to store the finished entries.

The system was designed for a Wiki. I thought it was some sort of dessert, or something.

But yeah, a forum would take care of the first two, then finalized product could be uploaded to the front page, or wherever.

And yeah, having a communal homebrew setting made by San Diegans would be damn cool

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:01 am

~~[quote="smartmonkey"]~~Well, we need a few things to do this online.

A) Somewhere to keep all the entries.

B) Somewhere to keep the "phantom" entries straight, so we know what needs to be done.

C) Somewhere to store the finished entries.[/quote]

I think that whoever sets up the theme should be the one keeping track of everything. Either that, or we get someone to volentier. I'm willing to do it (I know enough HTML to write up a basic page that links to itself). The same person should be responsible for keeping track of Phantom entries.

As to where to publish/store the finished entries when we're done, I like the idea of having it here as a downloadable document. But that requires Winter's okay.

Oh, and as to my idea, it was for a more generic fantasy setting. I'll PM you the details, if you like.

Chris

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:43 am

I'd say a database, or possibly XML as your storage medium. Easy enough to build. I just might have a project to play with ...er if I wasn't going on a cruise.

I'll look at it when I get back :)

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 8:43 am

I'm pretty much good to go. I can keep the logistics side as straight as I can, but I would need someone to do the html stuff. I'd also probably require plenty of help in any case. I have this whole "real life" thing going at the moment...

Meh, PM away, I s'pose.

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 8:52 am

I wouldn't mind designing a page for it. However, I think I would want it hosted here and I'm not exactly sure what BoC has in mind. I say we get the content going and worry about the rest later.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 8:57 am

Word. Eh, should probably decide on the overall theme first...

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:17 am

~~[quote="cczernia"]~~I wouldn't mind designing a page for it. However, I think I would want it hosted here and I'm not exactly sure what BoC has in mind. I say we get the content going and worry about the rest later.[/quote]

Keeping track of stuff screams database. It can be a person endeavour in the short run. It could be *completely* automated in the long run.

Does that help?

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:22 am

~~[quote="BreakfastOfChampions"]~~[quote:a2197ff6a6="cczernia"]I wouldn't mind designing a page for it. However, I think I would want it hosted here and I'm not exactly sure what BoC has in mind. I say we get the content going and worry about the rest later.[/quote]

Keeping track of stuff screams database. It can be a person endeavour in the short run. It could be *completely* automated in the long run.

Does that help?[/quote:a2197ff6a6]

I understand what you were planning. I was thiinking more along the technical side. I've never used XML and am more familiar with php/mysql and access/asp. But like I said, we'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:30 am

~~[quote="cczernia"]~~[quote:2a55013770="BreakfastOfChampions"][quote:2a55013770="cczernia"]I wouldn't mind designing a page for it. However, I think I would want it hosted here and I'm not exactly sure what BoC has in mind. I say we get the content going and worry about the rest later.[/quote]

Keeping track of stuff screams database. It can be a person endeavour in the short run. It could be *completely* automated in the long run.

Does that help?[/quote:2a55013770]

I understand what you were planning. I was thiinking more along the technical side. I've never used XML and am more familiar with php/mysql and access/asp. But like I said, we'll burn that bridge when we get to it.[/quote:2a55013770]

Well, we gotsa a web site. We want to browse the dictionary. Look up entries and display them.

[list:2a55013770]

[*:2a55013770] A displayed entry should also show its linking entries

[*:2a55013770] A displayed entry should show who wrote the entry

[*:2a55013770] The reader should be able to tell if an entry is a phantom entry or an actual entry.

[*:2a55013770] A filled linking entry should be a hyperlink to that entry

[*:2a55013770] A phantom Entry should be a hyperlink to an entry page

[*:2a55013770] A phantom Entry which the current user created should not be hyperlinked (no citing yourself)

[/list:u:2a55013770]

We should also be able to view all phantom entries.

[list:2a55013770]

[*:2a55013770] A phantom entry should contain a link to an entry page

[*:2a55013770] A phantom entry that the current user wrote should not be hyperlinked

[/list:u:2a55013770]

All in all, pretty darn easy. Even doable with one table, though I might use 2 to be clean about it.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:35 am

Okay, Smartmonkey want's me to post my theme... are we ready to start up, or do we want to wait for more technical information to get us organized first?

Also, do we want to start the entres in a different thread? Maybe in Spam or Tabletop?

Chris

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:41 am

Yeah, lets start in a different thread.

A sticky post or two could contain the phantom entries

Subject Lines should probably contain the Turn #?

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:42 am

Neh, we're going to generate lots of clutter...

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:42 am

~~[quote]~~You are cranky, opinionated, prejudiced and eccentric.[/quote]
I'm so in.

Seems like an SQL database might be the way to go for this.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:49 am

~~[quote="BreakfastOfChampions"]~~Yeah, lets start in a different thread.

A sticky post or two could contain the phantom entries

Subject Lines should probably contain the Turn #?[/quote]

I was thinking one thread for the whole thing, but I suppose one thread per letter would be interesting. The first post could contain the theme as well as all the current phantom entries. It's easy enough to keep that stuff updated with the edit button.

Chris

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:51 am

~~[quote="Cthulhu"][quote]~~You are cranky, opinionated, prejudiced and eccentric.[/quote]
I'm so in.

Seems like an SQL database might be the way to go for this.[/quote]

Thank god. Someone who knows what I'm sayin.

I'm already toying with schema. This is the lame, non-relational version.

~~[b]~~Entry[/b]

[list:31c6329ef3]

[*:31c6329ef3] ID (Autogen) -- ID to keep track of it

[*:31c6329ef3] Text -- Text of the Entry

[*:31c6329ef3] Author -- User who wrote it

[*:31c6329ef3] isPhantom (boolean) -- Is this entry a phantom? Might not need this, check for NULL in Text or Author

[*:31c6329ef3] Citation1 -- First Citation

[*:31c6329ef3] Citation2 -- Second Citation

[*:31c6329ef3] Citation3 -- Third Citation

[/list:u:31c6329ef3]

This is so light duty, you could get away with using an XML Document to track the whole thing. All your logic would be in the Logic Layer, anyhow.

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:53 am

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~[quote:d8fe959ca2="BreakfastOfChampions"]Yeah, lets start in a different thread.

A sticky post or two could contain the phantom entries

Subject Lines should probably contain the Turn #?[/quote]

I was thinking one thread for the whole thing, but I suppose one thread per letter would be interesting. The first post could contain the theme as well as all the current phantom entries. It's easy enough to keep that stuff updated with the edit button.

Chris[/quote:d8fe959ca2]

That's a pretty good idea. Maybe only the game runner can start threads, so that we know when turns are officially over.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:54 am

Meh, this is gonna be one of my last posts of the day... class and all.

I think we should probably decide on a theme first... Blanchprez has a pretty good one...

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:02 am

Okay, I'm going to start a new thread for turn A in the Tabletop forum.

Chris

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:05 am

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~Okay, I'm going to start a new thread for turn A in the Tabletop forum.

Chris[/quote]

Cool. Maybe we want a forum for this, so the turns don't get buried in amongst other posts? And the person running the game could be 'mod'

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:12 am

~~[quote="BreakfastOfChampions"]~~Cool. Maybe we want a forum for this, so the turns don't get buried in amongst other posts? And the person running the game could be 'mod'[/quote]

That would be cool.

Chris

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:20 am

Okay, just so I know who to keep track of as far as entrys are, here's everyone playing, right?

BlanchPrez
Jake
cczernia
Lowly Uhlan
Smartmonkey
BreakfastOfChampions
Cthulhu

If I missed someone, or your on this list but not actually playing, let me know.

Chris

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:27 am

Should we move these to a different forum? I was thinking something under Games like Lurking and Sudden. We could have threads for all the letters, one for citations and one for general comments. Just thinking that when this gets really going its going to be hard to keep track of if we donâ€™t

Foxbat · Post by **Foxbat** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:28 am

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~Okay, just so I know who to keep track of as far as entrys are, here's everyone playing, right?

BlanchPrez

Jake

cczernia

Lowly Uhlan

Smartmonkey

BreakfastOfChampions

Cthulhu

If I missed someone, or your on this list but not actually playing, let me know.

Chris[/quote]

Might as well count me in. I don't think I could stand missing the opportunity to write an entry for the letter N.

Daniel

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:45 am

~~[quote="Foxbat"]~~Might as well count me in. I don't think I could stand missing the opportunity to write an entry for the letter N.

Daniel[/quote]

If you're going to play, you're going to have to write an entry for every letter. And yes, we'll reserve Ninja for you. ;)

Chris

Foxbat · Post by **Foxbat** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:38 pm

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~[quote:830818ac0d="Foxbat"]Might as well count me in. I don't think I could stand missing the opportunity to write an entry for the letter N.

Daniel[/quote]

If you're going to play, you're going to have to write an entry for every letter. And yes, we'll reserve Ninja for you. ]

That sounds like a deal. :)

Daniel

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 1:15 pm

So, Winter, do you think we could get a forum for this going? ;)

Chris

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 11:57 pm

I thought it might be a good idea if we talked about Turn A before we moved on to Turn B. Comments? Criticisms? (friendly of course)

BreakfastOfChampions · Post by **BreakfastOfChampions** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:00 am

No. Don't talk. Just *do*

Next turn. Like now?

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:21 am

~~[quote="BreakfastOfChampions"]~~No. Don't talk. Just *do*

Next turn. Like now?[/quote]

I don't mind either way, talk or just keep going.

However, we are still awaiting for enteries from Foxbat and Cthulhu before we go onto round B.

Chris

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:05 am

I meant to do it last night but didn't get home 'til 3am. I'll have mine done today. :oops:

mordraine · Post by **mordraine** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:06 am

do you still want another forum? i can get that done and move the active game thread over there. probably won't be til later today, however.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:06 am

~~[quote="Cthulhu"]~~I meant to do it last night but didn't get home 'til 3am. I'll have mine done today. :oops:[/quote]

No biggie, we're not really on a time frame here. Just remember that it has to start with the letter "A." ;)

Chris