How to Set Up Your Dungeons & Dragons Campaign – and Be Stuck Refereeing It Seven Days per Week until the Wee Hours of the Morning!
This rather descriptive and lengthy title appeared at the top of an article written by Gary Gygax for the April 1975 wargaming newsletter, Europa. Gary’s how-to article suggested a five-step process that is both interesting and practical. I’m not sure it has been improved upon much in the intervening decades of gaming.
Though helpful as advice, Gygax speaks in pretty broad terms. In this workbook I have broken down his advice into creative prompts and achievable tasks that will help you develop a campaign setting over the course of just five weeks.
I have also taken the liberty of reproducing the original article in its entirety in the back of this booklet. A scan of the original is available at the Internet Archive (archive.org). The article was advertised as part two of a series. I have been unable to locate part one as of this date. Part three, First Adventures in Dungeoneering, contains minimal advice for running a session and a short sample of play. You can read it at gygaxslegendarium.blogspot.com.
Using this workbook, you will:
You are allowed one week, (no more, no less!) for each step. That may sound a bit overwhelming, but don’t overthink it!
Just get started.
Ray Otus 28 March 2020
