Campaign Overview (CSC)

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The first step toward creating a personalized campaign world would seem to be drawing a map of that world and placing the important geographic features. Yet to do that immediately would be a mistake. The first, and possibly most important step is to think about the world to be created. A DM who has come this far will usually have preconceived ideas about what he wishes his world to be. Ideas have been collecting and gestating in his mind while he was a player in someone else's campaign or when he ran his old game. Even though the design process will generate new possibilities, these first ideas are important. Commit them to paper! Ultimately, they will shape the new world.
What kind of things should be included? The DM should ask himself questions or make notes about key features he wishes to incorporate in his campaign. Will the new world have a pair of twin volcanoes whose molten innards touch upon the plane of fire? Write it down! Is there a canyon complex that dwarfs the Grand Canyon of the American southwest? Make a note of that! How about nomadic samurai elves who are the last remnants of a dying race from another plane of existence? Great idea, record it!
Assume that the laws of nature in the world have some bearing on our own. Note any differences that might affect play or add color to the game world, then let it be in effect for the rest of the game.
The more ideas that are put to paper, the more the DM will know about his preferences for his world before he begins making choices about its final design.
Along with any ideas that spring to mind, the DM should know (and have written down) at least some information on the following topics regarding his world-to-be:
* What is the dominant sentient race?
* What other races dwell in the world?
* What is the general culture or technological level of the area where adventuring will begin? Are the characters barbarians, members of a feudal society with towering castles, or perhaps even dwellers in a crumbling, decadent civilization?
* Have previous civilizations existed here before the ones that currently thrive? Did they leave lots of ruins?
* What types of climate areas will be readily available to adventure in? Examples include arctic regions, deserts, and temperate or tropical zones.
* What type of major geographic features (like mountains, oceans, deserts) might be fun to use in running adventures?
* How prevalent is magic use? What kind of really exotic terrain features exist in the world?
As the world develops, these initial thoughts will guide its creation, though some may be discarded as unworkable. Keep any ideas that are discarded for this world. Chances are that someday, there will be a need to create another world-one in which that discarded idea will fit perfectly.