How to start creating your own RPG stuff

Hop in, folks, we're about to get c r e a t i v e 😎

Hello fellow warlocks! Today we are getting creative! We will discuss how to start making your own stuff for RPGs, be it maps, dungeons, or entire settings.
Let’s dive deep into the essence of creativity for RPGs!

IN THIS LETTER:

✍ The importance of creativity in RPGs
🎨 How to start making your own RPG stuff
🐷 The P.O.R.C.O. method
📚 Building a plan
⚒ Getting resources

CREATIVITY IN RPGS

I think no one would beg to differ if I said that inherently all tabletop RPGs are a creative endeavor. Even in the most railroaded pre-written adventure, you are engaging in creative activities when you take decisions, build your character, and imagine how it looks, and what color is his very fashionable bandanna.

And for those of us who really enjoy creating stuff and imagining all sorts fantastical lands and characters, there is quite nothing like tabletop RPGs.

Creating your own stuff is also at the base of an RPG itself if you think about it: the first thing you see most of the times in RPG books is the “how to create your character” section.
So overall, I can safely say this:

When you play a Tabletop RPG, you are engaging in a creative and narrative experience.

Now that this is out of the way, what if you wanted to take a step further and start making your own RPG stuff, like dungeons, factions, adventures, and heck, even settings?

🎨HOW TO START MAKING YOUR OWN RPG STUFF

Now, I am assuming that if you clicked on this article you probably have an idea for something RPG related, like an adventure or a dungeon, but you are struggling to do what seems to you the most basic thing (that truly isn’t): Start.

Starting can be very very difficult, especially if you have never made stuff for RPGs before and you feel intimidated. So before we begin, let me start by the only fundamental rule you must absolutely follow, no questions asked:

No matter what you think of the result, it’s gonna be worth it.

Trust me, no matter if you are a beginner or you do this as a job, you are always going to feel a little bit intimidated by your project, but overall remember no matter what comes out of this, you have made a thing, a real thing that lives in this world among us, and this is always going to be worth the effort, no matter what you or others think.

I can’t go on the details of how to create every single aspect of RPGs, of course, but I think I can share some humble advice with you that may help you get started in making your own stuff, even if you have little time. So with that out of the way…

HOW DO YOU START MAKING YOUR OWN RPG STUFF?

I start when I have an idea, and I am assuming you already got there. If you haven’t, feel free to come back here later.

Next up, we must make the idea come out of our brain jelly goo, and bring it to life on paper (or virtual paper, if you are using a computer).
This is another fundamental truth, even though this is a pretty harsh one for some:

Ideas you are not putting in paper (virtual of physical), aren’t a real thing.

Trust me on this one: ideas you let marinade in your head for a long time, eventually rot and decay, and you’ll never actually make them into a real thing. It’s better to put them on paper, rewrite them if needed, rather than never actually realize them.

So the first step is:
🎲Get a sketchbook or notepad, or open up a new document, and write that idea in a sentence.

This will help both visualize, and remind you that your idea exists in the real world, and not just in your head. This is why I personally prefer the physical sketchbook or notepad; because it’s tangible, and reminds me that idea is there, ready to be explored.
But you are welcome to use whatever medium you feel more comfortable with.

Now comes the real process, and I like to say all you need is the P.O.R.C.O. process (Which is italian for “Pig”, don’t ask why) and it stands for:

🐷Plan
🐷Objective
🐷Research
🐷Consistency
🐷Organization

These are not really steps, as I think they should all go hand-in-hand when you start making stuff for RPGs. So let’s analyze each one:

📖PLAN: You need one

This is probably the most important point in my opinion. You came up with a cool idea, you have written it down on your new cool sketchbook. Now what?
What you should make first?
You need a plan.
Let’s say you are making a new adventure; ask yourself “What do I need to make this adventure playable?” and take a piece of paper and write down each content you would need to make it playable. Don’t worry yet about all the embellishments, just focus on what you would need to sit down and use this with your friends.
This checklist is your plan. Even if you don’t follow the other points, this one is going to be the difference between an idea you’ll never turn into reality, and a real, working RPG content.
So if you made the plan: hooray!

👁OBJECTIVE

Very similarly to Plan, you should define what you actually want from this. Are you making an adventure, or a just a fun single dungeon to use with your friends? Perhaps you want a fully fledged setting?
Whatever you’ll choose, try sticking to it. This will help you better define your “Plan” and invest your time on what you really need to finish what you are working on.
In case you feel too constrained or you feel this project may become something bigger, feel free to switch your objective to something more fitting.

📚RESEARCH

Let’s say you want to make a small RPG setting, but you are struggling to come up with your Plan because you can’t figure out what you need to make it playable.
It’s time to research!
Grab a copy of an RPG setting, and try to read it through, try to grasp what makes the setting work, take notes, check out the index for inspirations on what you may need in your setting.
Take all the time you need to build up your gaming and cultural references, they will come in handy very soon!

✍CONSISTENCY

Now comes the hard part.
It’s easy to get lost into an idea, and then work on it loosely, until you eventually forget about it and abandon the project. But no! Not on my watch!
Whatever the scale of your work, you need to be consistent. Perseverance gets the thing done, so even if it’s just an hour in the evening, or perhaps a couple in the weekends, remember to be consistent and never skip.
If you persevere, you’ll make A TON of RPG stuff, trust me!

🧹ORGANIZATION

You have probably already made a plan and nailed down your objective, done research, and you are confident you can be consistent.
My last step is always organize everything so I can easily access to my resources, my plan, and all the stuff I am making for this RPG project.
I know it’s easy to say “it’s a hobby, who cares if my files are not in the same folder” but trust me, even if you are just making a dungeon, you will regret not organizing your stuff before.
So take a couple of minutes and tidy up everything, because this will help all your process to work seamlessly and you will be able to make more stuff in less time.
As I said previously, I like using a sketchbook because it helps me contain all my project in one singular object, that I can come back to, even when I have to do the layout for a professional product!

Now that you have all the points in handy, you know how to get down and create some RPG stuff.

But what if you need some sparks for your RPG ideas? What if you need some guidance in creating adventures, dungeons, planets, or maps? What if you simply want someone to talk about this?

It’s time to talk about RPG creative resources!

RPG CREATIVE RESOURCES

Something to spark your creativity

cairn 2e warden’s guide artwork

I cannot stress enough how GOOD is the Warden’s Guide for Cairn 2e, by Yochai Gal. I see it as a guide not just for Cairn, but also for everything RPG related.
It features a wide variety of random tables to spark your creativity, and also details the processes you can use to create factions, NPCs, dungeons, even entire settings!

It’s also incredibly easy to recommend because, well, it’s free.
That’s right, what I consider the best GM Guide out there is free on PDF and print-at-cost on physical. Go grab it now and do yourself a favor!

Somewhere to talk about this

While I encourage you to find the discord/facebook group relative to the system you are actually creating stuff for, I think a great over-all discord server is the NSR Cauldron.
I sometimes write here and there on that server, alongside many creative people who enjoy RPGs.
Find the invite to the discord here.

Somewhere to find artists

Now, let’s say you created a damn fine piece of RPG stuff. And you decide “you know what? I am going to slap on here a nice piece of artwork, and make it beautiful”. But you don’t know any artists to commission that art piece!

No worries! I compiled a curated BlueSky starter pack list of freelance artists who accept commissions. You can contact them and ask their price and if they would be interested in working with you! I selected all the artists so you can be sure you can find trusty and talented workers!

BEHOLD… MY STUFF!

This pretty much sums it up for now!
Hey, if liked this article and you would like to check out my RPGs, you can find them on sale right here!

If you would like to see what my next game Old Golden Skull is all about, you check the previous article here, or follow the pre-launch page right here on Kickstarter.
I made it with these very notions!

Thank you, and see you next time, fellow warlocks!