Hidden Histories: Writing Secret Past Events That Shape Your World

Every world has a past—but not every story knows how to use it.

In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to create hidden histories—those forgotten wars, buried empires, and ancient betrayals that quietly shape the present day. You’ll learn how to make history matter without info-dumping, and how to let your players uncover the past one mystery at a time.

What You’ll Learn:

• The three types of hidden history: buried events, concealed truths, and forgotten knowledge
• How to connect your world’s past to your current story arc
• Simple prompts to seed mystery and discovery
• How to reveal lore naturally through exploration and dialogue

Get the Printable Toolkit:
Download the Hidden Histories Toolkit on Patreon for templates, prompts, and examples you can drop into any setting.

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