Blueprints

A blueprint is a tool that helps you quickly create things and put them into the game world. Each one lets you build groups of creatures and even the places they inhabit. When you need to build something new, find the related blueprint. At the top of each blueprint you will find themes that give you broad strokes. Pick the theme that matches your need, and it will tell you related creatures, features, and locations. This is often enough to continue play, but below the theme table are details of each item, which you can look up as needed. You may never need to, but if and when more details are needed, simply find them and follow their directions. What you will get is a coherent element for your game: a fishing village with a wharf and boats, a temple with its clergy and politics, or even a whole city with a king and a colosseum.

As you use blueprints, note that they often refer to each other. A city will refer to a different blueprint to build its magical academy. A town blueprint tells you about its walls and guards, but needs another for its thieves' guild.

Though blueprints give a wealth of information at your fingertips, you do not need to build everything before play. In fact you shouldn't; build only as far as the game needs. Sketch the place the players are in and the creatures they are interacting with. You can always come back to the blueprint for more when you need.

And of course, remember that blueprints are a starting point, and something you can depend on, but it is your own inspiration that will lead to the best creations.