The following is the first bits of manuscript I’ve written for my ttrpg setting Falezir.
I’m posting here in the hopes to receive feedback and hopefully generate some excitement for this project. I’m pulling this information directly from my first draft manuscript as a rough layout idea for the end product as well. If you are someone who’s done this before, I’d love to hear tips from you or get a peek into your writing process.
For context, these first sections will be character options. Perhaps I need to include a section in the beginning on how to use the supplement, or people will just figure it out. Maybe it needs to be in the GM section as they will be the guiding force creating a campaign in the setting.
COVER – (Title and by line with a travel journal style sketch of a dragon born on the front.)
Inside COVER- (000) - (Letter from the Author in script handwriting on parchment)
Dear Reader,
If you are reading this journal, no doubt I have died, and you have looked through my belongings to find such an important tome. Perhaps I’ve managed to submit my discoveries to the Great Archive Ars Fabula of Elezir. No matter. Within these pages is written some of my findings from my travels in the enigmatic land of Falezir. I wish for my conclusions to forge a safer path to peace with the peoples of this continent.
May you learn something important from these noble dragon folk- or not, no matter to me as I’m likely dead!
Be well,
Gradacious Leonheart II
Title Page
(Copyright and other info page?)
Table of Contents Page
(001) – Introduction to Falezir. (Written in the Style of an explorer making a travel journal.)
Falezir is a continent situated to the North of our very own, Elezir, and is host to the great and proud ancestry of the Khodo People. The Khodo are a prosperous yet inscrutable ancestry of dragon kin who believe themselves to be descendants of their great draconic deity of the same name. The land is host to a wide variety of climates from nutrient dense pine forests in the South to a chilly taiga to the North. Many mysteries and opportunities for discovery dot the land making Falezir a unique place for my studies. The Khodo people and their history are fascinating, and I thought to share these wonders with my people. Undoubtedly, being a human among these people is intimidating, but I dare not allow fear to stop my exploration of this rich culture.
(002) – The Khodo Ancestry.
In their histories, the Khodo people tell of the birth of the first of their kind. A brood, or Ilkhodaji, of five children with varying characteristics. Each is said to represent an ideal the Khodo aspire to. The five roamed the land together until one by one they each found a home to call their own. These lands became the regions the Khodo hail from today. Roan, Yoss, Banu, Cassis and Druir. Each, with a unique mastery of their landscape, brings great variety to the people I found across the land. Please understand that while these typical characteristics represent a majority of the Khodo from their region, the people travel the land frequently, sharing their food, music and garb leading to outliers in my findings.
Roanji
Intro (002.1.1)(OVerview of the dragonborn from here.)
Hailing from one of the most important regions in the land, the Khodo here pride themselves on being the birthplace of the holy hero Yorseth. They are not boastful and are typically the most pious of the Khodo due to their proximity to the Holy City and the celebration known as The Boraj. Cattle farming, fishing, and mining are popular trades of the Roanji Khodo as their region is encompassed by mountains, fjords, and grass plains.
Physical Traits and Mannerisms (002.1.2)(If you play a character from here, this is what they’ll typically look like/ act like)
Often seen as slender and small scaled, the Khodo from this region typically stand six to eight feet tall and move with graceful flowing strides. You can spot a Roanji easily from their singular horn growing from the crown of their heads. To adjust to their climate, the Khodo from Roan often wear thicker hand knit clothing made from the hair fibers of their wooly cattle. If they accessorize, it is a fashionable item made of leather and worked metal or items of knit fiber in a muted color palette. Lastly, these humble and hardworking Khodo tend to give slow bows of their head showing respect to those they know and respect.
Special Abilities (002.1.3)(The skills a character from this region will likely possess for mechanics and RP purposes)
The Roanji order of Khodo, given their graceful and pious demeanor, typically have advanced dexterity, a depth of wisdom and a friendly demeanor that brings others together. They are adaptable in their approach to heat or cold and resist damage from these elements. Due to their professions, most Roanji Khodo will be proficient with smith tools, weaving practices, and animal husbandry. Lastly, this order of Khodo benefits from being Longstriders. When traveling they will not become exhausted as easily as others of their ancestry.
Typical Formes (002.1.4)(Think of “Formes” as classes in a typical D&D game. Here I’m drawing parallels to traditional classes but some interpretation is allowed.)
From my time observing the Forme Schools in the region, these Khodo make for great Holy Warriors with empowered quickness undaunted by their light and medium armor. Clashing with one trained in this manner surely results in a swift defeat. One Forme highly regarded in the region is that of Warden given their adaptability, dexterous nature, and keen knowledge of their regional lands. There is a small network of such wardens who visit other regions and bring news of their travels. Lastly, the Roan region is known for its Boraj, the celebration at the conclusion of the pilgrimage. There are numerous Forme Schools teaching instruments, dancing and acrobatics that help delight and entertain those they welcome to their lands.
(End of manuscript for part 1.)
In an effort to get a handle on the entire process for making a ttrpg, I’m choosing to produce this in a DIY fashion. I’m researching and writing at this time and eventually I will move onto art, layout design, sales and production. Doing things this way I’m further developing my skills and reducing the overall costs for such a project to hours of my free-time spent doing something I’m enjoying. I suffer from having a multi-passionate brain that craves creativity in various forms so taking on a project for a hobby I love is really scratching a creative itch I’ve had for a long time.
This is a passion project I’m doing in my spare time and I’d love to eventually use this experience to make ttrpgs a career. However, for now I’m happy to receive any support you can afford. Whether it’s a share, a like, a comment, a cup of coffee or constructive critique, I appreciate anything I’m given. If you’re so inclined, please follow or subscribe for more of this project, my transcripts of older lore writing (I’m adapting to this project), inspiration posts and general game advice.
Until next time, be well and be kind to one another.
This is very engaging. You are doing a good job of walking the fine line between system agnostic and D&D.
Thank you Susan! I intend to write a bit of instruction on conversion to whatever game the reader plays. I’m quite familiar with 5th edition and I was thinking of doing a straight 5e version after I write everything.