|
09-26-2013, 02:44 AM | #1 |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
|
Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
I'm working on a procedure to generate world data sheets for my perennial SF setting, FLAT BLACK. I have procedures for the physical description of the world, the population and economic statistics, the spaceport &c. down pat. Before I move on to the characteristics of the government and society I want to make sure that I have everything covered at an appropriate level of detail.
So here's an example world information sheet. Only about half the entries were automatically generated; I'd like advice on the format, scope, and level of detail. • It needs a map. • It needs a gazetteer with brief entries on a dozen cities and other locations. • It needs a unit of currency, titles for the senior government officials. Apart from that, what does it need?
__________________
Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat. |
09-26-2013, 10:55 AM | #2 | |
Join Date: Jan 2006
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
Quote:
You use underlined text for links. I am accustomed to color codes instead. A lot of the details are more dry and scientific than immediately useful for RPG play. I realize a lot of it is direct parameters from the system generation model, but from a "What does my PC care about?" perspective average planetary density is of low value, especially when surface gravity is right there. |
|
09-26-2013, 02:03 PM | #3 |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
Some GMs use planetary density as a rough guide to the abundance of interesting minerals.
__________________
Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat. |
09-26-2013, 02:59 PM | #4 |
Computer Scientist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dallas, Texas
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
What does illumination 101% mean here? Flux per unit area in the visible spectrum + IR + UV frequency band at ground level?
|
09-26-2013, 03:08 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
Quote:
Would "visual illumination" be sufficiently explicit?
__________________
Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat. Last edited by Agemegos; 09-26-2013 at 04:28 PM. |
|
09-26-2013, 04:53 PM | #6 | |
Computer Scientist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dallas, Texas
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
Quote:
Ah, I think a planet-wide comparison or prevaling conditions could have a better name than "Climate". Terrestriality, or just, "Weather". Also, I believe typical daily variation ranges for seasonal extremes and medians would be more useful than single figures for orbital cardinal points. |
|
09-26-2013, 09:32 PM | #7 | |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Europe
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
Quote:
That's a minor but interesting visual effect. And it might have RPG implications too. For all I know, it might mean that it's easier to use a skill such as Disguise. Or it could beharder. I'm not able, at least right now, to fully visualize the consequences. Also, of course, the mid day sun is punishing for Humans who don't have very dark skin, so buildings are often made tall, tower-like, not just "because we can" (gravity on that one planet might be a bit less than 1G) but also to provide shelter for the homeless or those who lost track of time and find themselves far from home. Tall buildings do nothing exactly at noon, but of course in the minutes before and after, the shadow they provide is very welcome. That's just my take on it. A focus on the "what is it like"-aspect of things. What is it like being on this planet? What tells, signals, sensations, does the planet give me, as a visitor? What do I notice? What's unfamiliar? What creates a strong and powerful sense-of-place? Maybe you can do that with coded tags, inventing convenient shorthand tags for whatever planteary features you deem to be sufficiently relevant? |
|
09-26-2013, 03:49 PM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
I want data to be quite distinct from formatting, labels, and keys. Could I use a dark green? Other green?
__________________
Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat. Last edited by Agemegos; 09-26-2013 at 03:53 PM. |
09-26-2013, 04:33 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
Background (and perhaps an abstract, if possible)
Geology - Elevation extremes Population - Birth/death/immigration/emigration/net growth rates - age distribution - urbanization Economy - natural resources - notable products - imports/exports Society (maybe Government) - current issues Interstellar - relationships with other worlds (rival, ally, colony of, parent of, etc) |
09-26-2013, 05:39 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Jan 2006
|
Re: Scope and format of world data sheets in SF
|
Tags |
flat black, planet generation, planetary romance, sci-fi, science fiction |
|
|