Why Your World Feels Empty (And How to Fix It)

09/04/2025 1h 26min
Why Your World Feels Empty (And How to Fix It)

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Episode Synopsis

Send us a textYour world isn't broken—it just needs more life.In this episode of Goblin Salvage Rites, we dig into why some tabletop RPG settings feel hollow or artificial, and how to fill them with the messy, beautiful chaos of real life. From forgotten alleyways to noisy marketplaces, we're talking about the subtle details that make players feel like they're actually there.Whether you're a forever GM, a first-time worldbuilder, or just someone obsessed with weird fantasy economies, this one's for you.🧠 Let's salvage something awesome!Join the Goblin Tribe:💬 Discord: https://discord.gg/tbVdHc9Mxq💰 Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=7712130200:00 - Intro & What Is "Well-Built" Worldbuilding?02:00 - Iconic Goblins & Patreon Setting Reveal04:45 - Actual Play Recap: Kingmaker & Blood Lords12:00 - Using Geb as a Worldbuilding Case Study14:30 - Hard Worldbuilding vs. Soft Worldbuilding26:50 - Cutaways, Character Knowledge & Story Control40:00 - The White Glove Society & Living Lore54:00 - Hexcrawls, Survival Stories & Player Buy-In1:08:00 - Ravenloft & The 3 Worldbuilding Spectrums1:18:00 - Final Thoughts & Goblin Worldbuilding Philosophy