{"id":27,"date":"2008-11-29T02:05:48","date_gmt":"2008-11-29T07:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chocolatehammer.org\/?p=27"},"modified":"2019-12-06T18:44:07","modified_gmt":"2019-12-07T02:44:07","slug":"27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chocolatehammer.org\/?p=27","title":{"rendered":"World Creation: Full Steampunk Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the following series, we take our first steps into the dank and murky waters of unrepentant nerdliness, wading blindly forward to a point of no return. Follow if you will.<\/em><\/p>\n

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In this series of posts, I will be chronicling an ongoing project. What I am to do is create a world: more specifically, a fantastic world, a world that is to be used for various purposes of storytelling.Why? For fun, if you can believe that. To write about in the future, to use for Dungeons and Dragons campaigns–the sky’s the limit, really.<\/p>\n

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I intend for the series to fulfill several functions. It give me an outlet for creation, a place to sound off and possibly hear suggestions. It will examine the process of creating a fantasy world, and give a look as to what goes into designing the setting, characters, factions. To some degree, it will deconstruct fantasy as a genre, dissecting the various tropes and commonalities of settings. Also, it will cure leprosy and purify drinking water.<\/p>\n

Granted, what I intend and what I accomplish have, traditionally, respectfully disagreed.<\/p>\n

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Without further ado, the series begins.<\/p>\n

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I knew when I began that I wanted to create something with a steampunk flavor. For those who aren\u2019t up on their geeknobabble, \u201csteampunk\u201d refers to a setting with an outdated aesthetic, but futuristic technology. At its weakest, this can simply refer to settings where gears replace circuits and steam power appears common. At its strongest, this implies top hats, monocles, brass bolts, leather interiors, ball gowns, etc. Examples of the form can be found in the popular webcomic Girl Genius<\/em>, written by Phil Foglio.<\/p>\n

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A steampunk setting appeals to me for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n

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1.) Steampunk is different. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Most fantasy settings are, obviously, Ye Olde Vaguely European Middle Ages. This is largely because most of western mythology, the basis for modern fantasy, is based in this time period. Knights, dragons, kings, obtuse accents, the whole nine yards. This isn\u2019t bad, per se, but it\u2019s beginning to feel a bit stale. Go to a local bookstore or library and head for the fantasy section. Get a list of 20 fantasy books. Chances are, these books will have at least four of the following elements:<\/p>\n

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