Welcome, Travelers, to a Land Beyond Time!
Greetings, fellow adventurers and storytellers! I invite you to step aboard a ship bound for the uncharted, storm-tossed waters of the late 19th century—specifically, the year 1895—and wash ashore on the mysterious island of Dinotopia. Inspired by James Gurney’s breathtaking books, this roleplay will plunge us into a world where humans and dinosaurs live in harmony, where ancient wisdom meets Victorian curiosity, and where every step reveals wonders and perils alike. Whether you’re a shipwrecked explorer, a native Dinotopian, or a saurian companion, your tale awaits!
The Setting: Dinotopia in 1895
It has been decades since Arthur and Will Denison first documented their adventures in Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time. The year is now 1895, and the island remains a hidden utopia, untouched by the industrial sprawl of the outside world. Waterfall City gleams with its cascading spires, the Rainy Basin echoes with the calls of mighty carnivores, and the skies above soar with Skybax riders. Yet, whispers of change stir the air. Strange ships have been sighted off the reefs, their origins unknown. Rumors speak of unrest in the distant empire of Chandara, and a rare celestial alignment approaches—an event some Dinotopians believe will awaken long-dormant secrets beneath the island’s surface.
This is a time of discovery and tension, where the old ways of coexistence are tested by new arrivals and hidden mysteries. Will you forge alliances, uncover forgotten histories, or simply seek to survive in this extraordinary land?
The Premise
Our story begins with a shipwreck. A vessel from the outside world—perhaps a scientific expedition, a merchant trader, or a band of lost souls—crashes upon Dinotopia’s shores during a fierce storm. The survivors, human and otherwise, are rescued (or discovered) by the island’s inhabitants: humans who have adapted to this life and dinosaurs who speak, reason, and guide. From there, the tale is ours to weave. Will the newcomers embrace Dinotopia’s code of “Breathe deep, seek peace,” or will their arrival spark conflict? Will they join the Skybax riders, explore the World Beneath, or confront the shadowy figure of Lee Crabb, still lurking with his schemes?
Roleplay Style & Expectations
Tone: This is a blend of adventure, discovery, and character-driven drama with a touch of whimsy. Think Victorian exploration meets prehistoric wonder.
Posting Level: Casual to High Casual. I’d love to see at least 2-3 paragraphs per post, with a focus on vivid descriptions and character depth. Dialogue is great, but let’s paint the world too!
Posting Frequency: Aim for 1-2 posts per week. Life happens, so flexibility is key—just let us know if you’ll be away.
Characters: You can play as:
A newcomer (human) from 1895, shipwrecked and bewildered.
A Dinotopian human (born on the island or a prior castaway).
A sapient dinosaur (e.g., a Protoceratops like Bix, a Triceratops elder, or even a Skybax).
Original characters are welcome, and you can tie them to canon figures (e.g., Arthur Denison, Sylvia Romano) with permission.
Collaboration: This will be a character-driven story with a loose overarching plot. I’ll nudge events along (storms, discoveries, etc.), but your choices shape the narrative.
Rules
Respect your fellow players. Drama stays in-character!
No godmodding or controlling others’ characters without consent.
Keep it lore-friendly—Gurney’s Dinotopia is a peaceful yet complex world, not a battle royale.
Have fun! This is about exploration and storytelling, not perfection.
Plot Hooks to Inspire You
A newcomer discovers a strange artifact from the World Beneath, drawing the attention of both scholars and rogues.
A young Skybax rider seeks a partner among the survivors, testing their courage.
Lee Crabb resurfaces, offering a dangerous bargain to escape the island.
A festival in Waterfall City is interrupted by an earthquake, revealing a hidden cavern.
Join the Adventure!
Interested? Post your character sheet below or drop a note to say hello! I’m aiming for 4-6 players to start, but there’s room for more if the muse strikes. Let’s breathe life into this lost world together—human and dinosaur alike. Questions? Ideas? I’m all ears (or horns, depending on your perspective)!
“Breathe deep, seek peace.”
Greetings, fellow adventurers and storytellers! I invite you to step aboard a ship bound for the uncharted, storm-tossed waters of the late 19th century—specifically, the year 1895—and wash ashore on the mysterious island of Dinotopia. Inspired by James Gurney’s breathtaking books, this roleplay will plunge us into a world where humans and dinosaurs live in harmony, where ancient wisdom meets Victorian curiosity, and where every step reveals wonders and perils alike. Whether you’re a shipwrecked explorer, a native Dinotopian, or a saurian companion, your tale awaits!
The Setting: Dinotopia in 1895
It has been decades since Arthur and Will Denison first documented their adventures in Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time. The year is now 1895, and the island remains a hidden utopia, untouched by the industrial sprawl of the outside world. Waterfall City gleams with its cascading spires, the Rainy Basin echoes with the calls of mighty carnivores, and the skies above soar with Skybax riders. Yet, whispers of change stir the air. Strange ships have been sighted off the reefs, their origins unknown. Rumors speak of unrest in the distant empire of Chandara, and a rare celestial alignment approaches—an event some Dinotopians believe will awaken long-dormant secrets beneath the island’s surface.
This is a time of discovery and tension, where the old ways of coexistence are tested by new arrivals and hidden mysteries. Will you forge alliances, uncover forgotten histories, or simply seek to survive in this extraordinary land?
The Premise
Our story begins with a shipwreck. A vessel from the outside world—perhaps a scientific expedition, a merchant trader, or a band of lost souls—crashes upon Dinotopia’s shores during a fierce storm. The survivors, human and otherwise, are rescued (or discovered) by the island’s inhabitants: humans who have adapted to this life and dinosaurs who speak, reason, and guide. From there, the tale is ours to weave. Will the newcomers embrace Dinotopia’s code of “Breathe deep, seek peace,” or will their arrival spark conflict? Will they join the Skybax riders, explore the World Beneath, or confront the shadowy figure of Lee Crabb, still lurking with his schemes?
Roleplay Style & Expectations
Tone: This is a blend of adventure, discovery, and character-driven drama with a touch of whimsy. Think Victorian exploration meets prehistoric wonder.
Posting Level: Casual to High Casual. I’d love to see at least 2-3 paragraphs per post, with a focus on vivid descriptions and character depth. Dialogue is great, but let’s paint the world too!
Posting Frequency: Aim for 1-2 posts per week. Life happens, so flexibility is key—just let us know if you’ll be away.
Characters: You can play as:
A newcomer (human) from 1895, shipwrecked and bewildered.
A Dinotopian human (born on the island or a prior castaway).
A sapient dinosaur (e.g., a Protoceratops like Bix, a Triceratops elder, or even a Skybax).
Original characters are welcome, and you can tie them to canon figures (e.g., Arthur Denison, Sylvia Romano) with permission.
Collaboration: This will be a character-driven story with a loose overarching plot. I’ll nudge events along (storms, discoveries, etc.), but your choices shape the narrative.
Rules
Respect your fellow players. Drama stays in-character!
No godmodding or controlling others’ characters without consent.
Keep it lore-friendly—Gurney’s Dinotopia is a peaceful yet complex world, not a battle royale.
Have fun! This is about exploration and storytelling, not perfection.
Plot Hooks to Inspire You
A newcomer discovers a strange artifact from the World Beneath, drawing the attention of both scholars and rogues.
A young Skybax rider seeks a partner among the survivors, testing their courage.
Lee Crabb resurfaces, offering a dangerous bargain to escape the island.
A festival in Waterfall City is interrupted by an earthquake, revealing a hidden cavern.
Join the Adventure!
Interested? Post your character sheet below or drop a note to say hello! I’m aiming for 4-6 players to start, but there’s room for more if the muse strikes. Let’s breathe life into this lost world together—human and dinosaur alike. Questions? Ideas? I’m all ears (or horns, depending on your perspective)!
“Breathe deep, seek peace.”