CREATING SANDBOXES
Adventurers crave more than just a homebase to explore from.
Construct a sandbox around the Adventurers' homebase and fill it with as many adventuresome game pieces as you can imagine or find.
Even a simple “here be dragons” somewhere on the Sandbox map may be enough to spur many adventurers.
In a fantasy-based game, a sandbox might be a single kingdom on the frontier of the unexplored area of a larger continent on the gaming world.
In a modern game, the sandbox might be a state or country during a time of great upheaval.
For a science-fiction game, the sandbox might be a moon, asteroid belt, or star system on the frontier of a settled space and unexplored region.
Core Sandbox Design
☐ SANDBOX NAME
What is the sandbox region or area called?
☐ SANDBOX APPEARANCE
Start with a map …
What first impressions will this sandbox make on the Adventurers?
☐ SANDBOX HOOKS
How many adventuring areas can you hide within this sandbox region?
What starting information could the Adventurers have about possible adventures out in the sandbox region?
Additional Optional Homebase Design
☐ SANDBOX RUMORS / CLUES / SECRETS
What rumors, clues, and secrets can you place at, and around, each of the sandbox region adventuring sites?
☐ SANDBOX FACTIONS
Who are the powers in charge of the sandbox region and what are their agendas?
☐ SANDBOX GOVERNMENTS
Who are the public servants of the sandbox region and who do they answer to?
☐ SANDBOX ORGANIZATIONS
Who are the other groups organized to action and what are their purposes?
☐ SANDBOX LAWS
What legal tripwires lay in wait to snare the Adventurers unexpectedly?
☐ SANDBOX POLITICS
What are the driving attitudes causing conflict between the groups in and around the sandbox region?
☐ SANDBOX CORPORATIONS, UNIONS, OR GUILDS
Who are the commercial and professional groups around the sandbox region?
☐ SANDBOX RELIGIONS
What do the populations of the sandbox region believe in?
☐ SANDBOX CUSTOMS
What social tripewires lay in wait to snare the Adventurers unexpectedly?
☐ SANDBOX LANGUAGES
What languages are spoken or written around the sandbox region?
Design Worksheet
Create note card for each possible Sandbox region adventuring site:
| CORE DESIGN | |
|---|---|
| SANDBOX NAME | |
| SANDBOX APPEARANCE | |
| SANDBOX NEEDS / AGENDAS / HOOKS | |
| ADDITIONAL DESIGN | |
| SANDBOX RUMORS / CLUES / SECRETS | |
| SANDBOX FACTIONS | |
| SANDBOX GOVERNMENTS | |
| SANDBOX ORGANIZATIONS | |
| SANDBOX LAWS | |
| SANDBOX POLITICS | |
| SANDBOX CORPORATIONS, UNIONS, OR GUILDS | |
| SANDBOX RELIGIONS | |
| SANDBOX CUSTOMS | |
| SANDBOX LANGUAGES |
Additional Resources
Roleplaying Tips #0688 - The Card Grid - The Fastest Way To Map Your Kingdom With Adventure Sites
Roleplaying Tips #0842 - Sandbox Adventuers - 5 Essential Ingredients
Roleplaying Tips #0847 - Add Worms To Your Next Sandbox
RPG #0868 - 6 Examples Of Published Sandbox Campaigns You Might Run
Roleplaying Tips #0891 - Creating A Sandbox Campaign - 7 Steps
Roleplaying Tips #0892 - Let Players Gaze Into Your Sandbox
Roleplaying Tips #0942 - An Example Sandbox Campaign With Tips To Avoid GM Burnout
Roleplaying Tips #1000 - How To Conjure Incredible Sandbox Campaign Climaxes
Roleplaying Tips #1145 - My 7 Keys To A Great Sandbox Game
Roleplaying Tips #1183 - My Simple Sandbox GM Tool - The 5 Actions