I would try having a look at related material, tangentially having to do with D&D and FMA. (Or dungeon adventuring and magic/alchemy/1910s AU for that matter.) I say tangentially, because this way, you can get a grasp on the intuitives, ideas for the idea bank while straying away from ripping off outright your 'inspiration' material. Makes your fic stand out too, for having such an original flavour. Outside-the-box thinking.
And along the way, discuss your ideas as much as possible with other people. Go Brainstorming with them. Ask them would an idea work? Could the idea be expanded into something more?
Of course, you could try going for an RPG also, ja. That also works for fleshing out your fic's world.
edited 11th Dec '10 10:50:09 PM by QQQQQ
If I had the time to do that, I'll try it out. Here's the link to my story, if you're curious: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6240921/1/bTransitus_b_bUniversitas_b
Since I'm working on a Dungeons & Dragons/Fullmetal Alchemist crossover fic called Transitus Universitas (it's in the title). I've done the prologue, but there are a few problems with that: I'm stumped...and side-tracked. Fortunately, I've came up with a couple solutions.
I'm more on the first choice, mainly because R Ps are so much fun IMO. What's your suggestion?
edited 10th Dec '10 6:21:20 AM by NordRonnoc