Lankhmar Geomorphs–I Think Leiber Would Approve

Sample Geomorph

The Lankhmar City of Adventure sourcebook comes with a color poster map of the city with blank squares left open where you could assign geomorphs from the book.  The effect being that the players are not familiar with every inch of the city until they explore.

After reading Dyson Logos‘ comments on D&D’s Lankhmar Legacy, his original post, plus the post Lankhmar-References at Buffoons & Beasts it occurred to me that TSR’s implementation of Lankhmar geomorphs was in keeping with a technique that Leiber employed throughout the Lankhmar stories.

Very often he would reference people, places, and objects without giving further information.  The effect was two-fold.  With great economy he was able to build not only a city, but an entire fantasy world.  In addition, he allowed our imaginations to create the world with him.

With the Lankhmar geomorphs the GMs are not simply presenting the city to the players, but letting the players imagine those alleyways and environs unknown.

Other sites:
Lankhmar Geomorphs Online