Here's something I've been working at for a while now. I think I've reached handover point.
I wanted a simple tool to help develop a character concept, quickly and intuitively. It should be useful in getting an NPC backstory at a glance, but it's hopefully also a good source of inspiration in other situations too, as a starting point for unit leaders in wargaming for example, or the seeds of an idea in writing, and for PCs too of course.
I'm very open to suggestion if you think anything needs adding, moving or removing.
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7 responding:
You've got yourself the basis of a good rap song!
This could be used for a lot more than just characters. The thought cloud is sort of a derivative/exploration of the "map" idea I sometimes use. Very interesting. Might I swipe?
This can be used to write stories. It is nice background for character concepts. Want me to randomize it? Send me a text file of the info and I'll put it together like I did the others. Great work! Oh and hey I'd like your comments over at the magic item "From Under a Rock" todays post.
@ Bartender - That would be worth a listen..!
@ Loquacious - I see what you mean. It could be quite useful in worldbuilding too, and possibly for more specific things like the subject of random books or dreams, or the view through a portal. It would be a good thing to have around during a game. It's all yours.
I didn't say so in the post, but I'm happy for anyone to copy, print and use this for whatever they like.
@ ArmChairGeneral - There's no text file unfortunately - it's just 200 or so individual text frames on a background. If you want to use the words for a generator, go right ahead. I certainly don't own those..!
Thanks, Porky!
Have you looked at Wordle--that'd let you make multiple, specialized versions or keep this one alive and growing as you get new ideas...
Using a word cloud like this to create random spells, books and cryptic mutterings would be very interesting.
You could also connect the various words with a set of random dots, as in classical Western geomancy, then draw lines connecting the words in a sort of anti-sigil or contra-sigil process, similar to how talismanic squiggles get developed within medieval grimoires. This could be a very interesting technique to harness for fiction, rpgs, etc.
Have you looked at DM Muse or <a href='http://www.chaoticshiny.com">Chaotic Shiny</a> as possible collaborators on doing this in a table/generator format?
You're really on fire at the moment! I know a bit about Wordle, but hadn't thought of doing any of that. Very interesting concepts indeed, and a seed or two well planted now.
DM Muse I've seen and is a wonderful thing, for being alive and open to new ideas most of all. Chaotic Shiny is a new one on me, but very impressive. The amount of material is astounding, and from what looks like one person too.
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