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GM Screen
GameMastery Guide
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Creating a World
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The Cosmopolitan Society
Questions about Your City
Source
GameMastery Guide pg. 157
Designing a city can seem like an overwhelming task, but in a roleplaying game, the key to designing a compelling city is to consider those aspects that are most likely to affect your adventure or the PCs. Before you start writing your city, develop a familiarity with the more practical elements of your locale by answering the following questions (many of which are useful in designing smaller settlements, as well).
Who rules the city?
How does the ruler maintain power?
What factions or personalities plot against the ruler? Why do they do so?
What four enemy types are common to campaigns set in this city?
Which local NPCs are the PCs likely to befriend? Why?
What three things about your city make it unique?
What monsters lurk in the city?
How powerful are the city’s trade guilds?
Is there a wizards’ guild?
Is there a thieves’ guild?
What deities have temples in the city?
What is the most popular religion? What about your city’s character makes this religion popular?
From whom are the PCs likely to seek healing?
Where can the PCs buy weapons, armor, and equipment?
What’s the best inn or tavern in town?
Which tavern is most likely to be the site of a bar fight?
Where would the PCs buy, sell, and trade magic items?
How does social class affect the lives of citizens in your city?
What do the social classes think of each other?
How corrupt is the city watch? The courts?
How dangerous is the city at night?
What are the three most beautiful things in the city?
How does the city protect itself ?
What does the city smell like?
What do the citizens do to have a good time?
What do the citizens fear more than anything else?
What would a bard like about the city?
What would a barbarian, druid, or ranger like about the city?
What would your significant other or spouse like about the city?
Why do adventurers come to your city?