A fantastic location is the location or set of a single scene. These could be tailored to your players if necessary.
You can quickly create one by giving your idea an internal code-name, for example “The shadespire” which will trigger your imagination and memory to remind yourself of the idea you had. Besides the code-name we want at least 3 aspects.
An aspect is a notable, remember-able feature of a place which will trigger the imagination of players and game masters alike.
Link to original
When developing fantastic locations, you might encounter too large places, like cities, big mansions or cathedrals. These are best split up in a series of locations.
Link to original
A good exercise while or after creating such a location is to ask yourself what is the history of this place or what was this before?
Inspiration
Historical or real-world locations could be a great inspiration.
Gameplay
Plan on using one to two locations per hour
Reference
E. Schea, M. (2018). Sly flourish’s return of the lazy dungeon master. Sly flourish shop
Highlights or timestamps
Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Highlights
- You can think of fantastic locations as the set or backdrop for a single scene
— Set from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- With that review [reviewing the characters] in mind, you might build a location of relevance to a specific character’s background.
— Characters from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- The name of the location should fire up the imaginations of you and the players alike. You just need enough of a reminder to help you describe it to the players during the game. It [the title] is meant to bookmark the image you had in your head.
— Name from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- In general you’ll want to have three aspects for a fantastic location. Each of which describes an important, notable or useful feature of the location.
— Three aspects from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- When you’re thinking of your locations, always ask yourself “What was this before?“.
— Questions from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- ADDED: Use real-world locations or historical places as inspiration
— Inspiration from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- Plan on using one or two locations per hour of play.
— Hourly locations from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights