11 Tips to Create UNFORGETTABLE D&D Cities...

[@ClocksTickin]

Honesty a lot of my Lore came together after drawing my map. Every spot asked questions and i was really excited to answer those questions. Sometimes I threw communities together and said "now what?" And found varieties of conflict and harmony that lead to me answering basically every question you asked. Thanks for the video, just wanted to mention another way to get there!

[@TheFantasyForge]

Same! I just wanted to KNOW everything. It helps when you're passionate about what you're doing

[@cypher6083]

Step 1. Draw the whole owl

[@gramfero]

How to draw an owl: Step 1: draw an ellipse Step 2: draw the rest of the fucking owl

[@Mikaeus_Un_Hallowed]

Truth, the flame dude looks cool tho

[@JacobGrim]

@@gramfero lmao

[@TheFantasyForge]

I keep seeing this and every time I do it makes me laugh 😂

[@forgesoulfire1320]

Can someone elaborate the reference?

[@R-Doll]

Time-stamps for reference 0:14 #1 Start with a strong concept 1:28 #2 Think about the beginning of the city 2:17 #3 Think about the economy 3:20 #4 Who rules the City? 4:10 #5 What is the Religion like? 5:14 #6 What organizations and Guilds are there? 6:02 #7 City Defenses and Military 7:32 #8 Focus on the Details 8:04 #9 Create Plot Hooks 8:46 #10 Use Maps and Visual Aids 9:51 #11 Create Believable NPCs

[@TheFantasyForge]

thank you for this! I was meaning to do it 🤩

[@MemphiStig]

Distinctive architecture; the occasional fantastical element; colorful locations; a memorable layout; compelling npc's; a few unique bits, like a festival, a type of food, or maybe an unusual law; a nearby body of water, or a very good reason there isn't one; one or two things the city is well-known for in the region or even farther away (correctly or not); and a handful of secrets the pc's might uncover if they go digging around in the right/wrong places.

[@TheFantasyForge]

before clicking to read the whole thing, I thought it just said a nearby body lol.

[@baconboi4482]

I think the one thing you got wrong would be about volunteers dropping their post. I feel they’d be more willing than any of them to lay their lives on the line as they get nothing out of being guards, but volunteered for it. Meaning they value the safety of the town a lot

[@TheFantasyForge]

Definitely, I think it fully depends on where they come from. A crappy lord won’t inspire the troops much, but if the town is their home or if it’s worth defending, then 100% agree! Thanks for leaving some love! 🥰

[@ryanstout8634]

Well put together list. I feel like pushing it to 11 really helped me divide some of those concepts. Ie Organisations different from NPCs and history from initial concept. Separating them as to think about them individually is a good idea. Ty, great video

[@TheFantasyForge]

Thanks for the love! Appreciate the kind words

[@MultiMinecraftPiggie]

One important thing i focus on (especially in high fantasy like DnD) is what kind of people live there. It's included in 1, 2, & 3, however, it's probably important enough to be its own bullet point! A city inhabited by halflings will probably be *shaped* differently than a city built by goliaths; one might have doors that are too small for you, another might have stairs that sre awkwardly large to climb up.

[@TheFantasyForge]

EXCELLENT tip, 100% agree. The deep thinking is what makes it real. Love that comparison too, makes me imagine Goliath's squeezing into tiny round doors

[@jamesjoy7547]

@@TheFantasyForge that's got me imagining a highly stratified society with goliaths as the working class and halflings in charge. Wanna talk to the manager? Go ahead, just gotta squeeze through that little round door over there

[@jamesjoy7547]

That's an aspect of my current campaign's hub, with a human port on a north/south surface river and a dwarven port on an east/west underground river beneath them. Their cultures inform each other; a human establishment with ramps instead of stairs implies a cosmopolitan outlook, as does the presence of growing plants in the subsurface dwarven environs. Both are subtle signs of prestige

[@TheFantasyForge]

@@jamesjoy7547 LMAO this made my morning

[@liamcage7208]

I tried to have a religion hook for one of my cities once. The amount of prep it took only for the players to completely ignore it and go a different direction, lol. I like the street vendors idea, I can't believe I missed that before. Thanks

[@starcrafter13terran]

I know it's a cheesy tactic, but did you think about moving the hook? When they choose door 2 instead of door 1, maybe move what is behind each door to further the plot? Until the door is opened, you may have no idea what is behind it.

[@thepistonman8014]

This has been very useful for me, as making cities feel alive is something I usually struggle with, and even just watching this with a city in mind helped me develop it rapidly. You’ve earned my subscription, and I thank you for your advice

[@TheFantasyForge]

Glad it helped! Thanks for showing some love :)

[@OrangeDragon04]

Thank you, most of these I already knew, but you improved upon these ideas. Some I've been doing unconsciously doing already. (The different guards and quests) But I'll return to this video a couple times over to write stuff down. Thank you again and have a nice day.

[@lexirion2040]

I'm running a game this week and the video really helped to make a memorable city for my players, keep up the great work 😊👍

[@absyntheproductions3330]

The idea that a volunteer guard in a small town is less likely to defend it because they’re not getting paid is ridiculous. They volunteered to protect their family and their community , I would argue they would be more motivated and willing to risk their life than the average paid guard who only cares about the check at the end of the day

[@TheFantasyForge]

Training matters. Someone with no armor, a volunteer at that, little to no training...etc... They would probably buckle in the face of a real enemy. Will is not the same as training. That's all I'm sayin. Cut to that scene in Kingdom of Heaven Bishop: "Does making a man a knight make him a better fighter?" Balian: "...yes" *cue dramatic music* Luckily this video isn't about the historical accuracy of my statement about guards. The point I was making was to think about the little things and if you'd rather run it that way, by all means! Its your table! 😁

[@jamesjoy7547]

I would say a volunteer guard unit might have greater motivation, but with a narrower focus. They'd sacrifice their lives to protect their district, but the rest of the city is on their own. For instance, my current campaign has the Knocker's Lodge ("We knocks what needs knockin") who police the dockyards, but have no loyalty to the merchants and nobles of "the heights"

[@tweecho5710]

Solid video mate. Certainly some of the better laid out D&D advice out there.

[@TheFantasyForge]

thanks for the love! Glad it can help some of you out there :)

[@sinistertwister686]

Here's what I do to make my cities more "believable": random encounters. I am running a DnD campaign in a capital city, and at least once per session my players run headfirst into something unexpected. Not all my encounters are combat though, and they are different for each district. Sometimes its a guard patrol or a rival gang, of course, but sometimes its a bunch of orphans, asking for food and pickpocketing, a suspicious merchant, scamming or offering actual magic items, a drunken fight, an chest full of bloody human bodyparts... and these encounters often aren't connected to the story or a quest. It just something that happens in the city. Though sometimes players are too inteterested and investigate this, or use it to their advantage.

[@TheFantasyForge]

Love this! Especially love the various types of encounters. Not everything in D&D has to be gold and blood lol. Sometimes all it takes is a little interaction with the players to add that little magical touch.

[@thomase640]

I am also dming a city campaign in a capital. Can you name your districts for inspiration?

[@sinistertwister686]

​@@thomase640 Hello! Yes, I can. But I warn you: I don't know if it will actually be any helpful. English isn't my first language, and names for districts were somewhat setting-specific. But I will try my best. There were: - High Nest - Hound-yards - White Hillock - Marksmen's Wall - Cathedral Corner - Smoky Nooks - Long Monastery - Apiary Village - Golden Bog - Frontal Slope - Devil's Yards There were many others as well. If you have any other questions I'd be glad to help.

[@oniminikui]

My formula for building cities is: Who runs the city? Who REALLY runs the city? What brings gold to the city? What is the city's form of entertainment? Who/what guards the city? Where is the city located? What are the possible 3 secrets of the city?

[@TheFantasyForge]

This is WONDERFUL. I especially love the "who REALLY runs the city" part haha.

[@jamesjoy7547]

I'd never considered "what is the city's form of entertainment" before. WOW! Now I'm seeing every culture I've ever created in a different way! My life is different now. Thank you!

[@R-Doll]

I'm not a DM myself, but this video has inspired me with its insights into world building. Whether it's for a game or other creative project, I think these tips are helpful. Setting is important as the characters who will walk in them. Furthermore, the world is full of stories, but how they're told can change from place to place as well as the storytellers who translate them. Thank you for the tips/video

[@TheFantasyForge]

thank you for leaving some love :) I appreciate it, you made my night

[@4saken404]

Super great advice. Way more than the simple checklist kind of stuff I am used to after 30+ years of doing this kind of thing. These are the kinds of tips that actually inspire creativity! ::BOOM, Subscribed! ::

[@TheFantasyForge]

thank you for the love 🤗 just here to help, because I remember how overwhelmed I was

[@jma3974]

I have been drawing in ideas from a lot of different resources, but my core pillars of creating the settlement are to 1. Know why it's there, who founded it and for what reason. 2. What are the influences of the other regional settlements and nations already created. 3. Thinking about the axis of thematically beneficial or malicious, driven by laws or criminal elements, and greed versus generosity. These tend to lump together somewhat, but a bandit colony could have been formed out of resisting a cruel and greedy local lord. 4. What could insect with the party's narrative? I tend to run a pretty sandbox game, so the PCs ending up in the city may not be plot driven. But that doesn't mean there aren't plot influences. 5. determine the cross section of hierarchy versus role in the city of the populace and key NPCs. What do they know, what do they think they know, and what do they not know. And what s their overall motivations vs strangers, acquaintances, friends, family, competitors, and enemies. My NPCs are never just resource vending machines.

[@SpiritWolf1966]

I enjoy all of The Fantasy Forge videos 😊

[@jontheappalachian2191]

I typically start with some art that fits the culture / biome of a city...

[@TheFantasyForge]

Same! A roll20 page or something with art I find or make in Midjourney. Setting the vibe and tone is HUGE. Thanks for leaving some love

[@chefsg591]

Great vid as always. Hopefully more with this type of length are coming 😊

[@TheFantasyForge]

definitely! Thanks for leaving some love :)

[@bugg6597]

Is your animated character for the video essentially the Dead Cells character but with a black color set? I dig it if that’s the case

[@TheFantasyForge]

You're the third person to mention it and I actually didn't know who that was beforehand haha. Definitely see the resemblance I have an image in my mind for what he will be in the future, but for now, this is Lore ;)

[@LeviAndFriends111]

Great advice kind sir, ty

[@TheFantasyForge]

thanks for the love!

[@Ushiokoroni]

Bit of an odd question but could you please tell me what song is playing in the background in the beginning? I have been trying to find it ever since i first heared it ^^"

[@TheFantasyForge]

Dragon Tamer - Valley of the Lakes 😁

[@letteracura]

Thanks this is a wonderful video idea :)

[@grimw5009]

this is a great guide for advanced DMs, (seriously y'all need this guide) but it feels a little busy for noobies.

[@TheFantasyForge]

WEAKLINGS 😂Jk, you're probably right, a noobie is going to be too focused on all the other little things like voices or rules.

[@scoobydoo316us]

I created a city that is basically a place that is set up for the families of adventurers. Just farmland out in the middle of no where. They work to keep it going. Has school. ranch and farmland to supply what they need. Has a bank and other things they need. The economy is not a huge factor. It's more self supportive. I was going to create a town of dragons in human form.

[@tiagghho]

What was the cartoon/anime near the end?

[@TheFantasyForge]

That's the intro video to Campaign 2 of Critical Role! It's such great art

[@nataliadeavilapires2136]

If you really want to get your players heavily involved in a town, make it a society that doesn't use money. It'll give that area a legend of zelda kinda feel where everything is done for small tasks or large tasks or trade and it makes players get invested in the space and the npcs very quickly.

[@TheFantasyForge]

Ooo super interesting idea. I like this

[@jamestaylor3805]

To be unforgettable requires one simple thing and one simple thing only. A unique characteric that is enganging. Examples This city has a giant tannery so the whole place smells like piss. This city of heliotrope is named after the bluish purple flowers that bloom annually. This city has trained creatures to clean its streets at night. These are what make a city unforgettable, as long as you can make it FUNCTION enough to keep the players attention on it.

[@blackdragon29076]

good video

[@TheFantasyForge]

thank you for the love! 😁

[@Luredreier]

What movies where that?

[@TheFantasyForge]

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Atlantis: The Lost Empire Thor Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back The Mandalorian Breaking Bad Dune Part 1 Guillermo Del Toro's Pinnochio Guardians of the Galaxy Part 1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail Game of Thrones Lord of the Rings Two Towers Kingdom of Heaven Mighty Nein Animated Intro Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf Some of them are shows and some of them are movies :)

[@kevoreilly6557]

Don’t do any of this. Do this. 1. Where is the city (on a great river, a port, on the edge of an ancient forest, in middle of a shattered waste) and Why is the city here? (Trade (great river, open pass, last place before empty plains), Military (close to an enemy region - old or new, treaty was signed, ancient battle), Religious (site of birth of a god, ancient miracle, current west of high priest), precious goods (gold, silver, residiumm). 2. Name some great historical event that took place: meteors fell to ground, last dragon slain, rise of the first vampires, the nine hells opened, an Angel fell to the earth) 3. Who is the one character of faction the city is known for : the Paladin Archious who slew the Balrog Al’zasa; the order of Pelican knights (100 knights that go to battle on giant birds); the home of the Lost Boys - a shadowy network of half vampire assassins; the 1000 souls - a congregation of wights, wraiths and revenants that are drawn to this city rather than passing on. 4 Finally, based on 1-3, set the atmosphere of the city - is it friendly, mistrustful, does have strict rules or taxes for staying, is it safe, architecturally are the streets narrow and dark, high majestic towers, overbearing walls and defenses, are the districts strictly policed, are classes/castes strictly enforced, what is made of (granite, marble, wood, tent city, sea shells, carved out of the bones of a long fallen god) 5 have your players build cities for you with these guidelines

[@TheFantasyForge]

Thanks for the comment! This is a good way to wing a city quickly. This video is definitely more for world building

[@LoreFriendlyMusic]

Subbed instantly when you mentioned Midjourney. ChatGPT-4 is also a DM essential.

[@TheFantasyForge]

It's like having an assistant! You can level up your games and workflow. I'll be making a video on how I use it soon

[@lexirion2040]

Could you create a video that showcases how to leverage AI in the prep work?

[@TheFantasyForge]

ALL over that haha. I use AI so much. I'll definitely do that for you. Thanks for taking the time to show some love :)

[@CeeLoGreen666]

The promotion of midjourney sucks man

[@lucaricciardi8253]

Give this man a nobel price for commonplace obviousness!

[@mavrickindigo]

Ew, you recommend AI? not gonna fly. Most of my players are artists hah

[@TheFantasyForge]

I think AI is a helpful tool when used responsibly! Shouldn't do the work for you, but can help you research and come up with ideas, or new ways to pivot a story that you might not have thought about. But that's just me personally, I also understand the problems that come with it