The Basics
- How many continents does your world have?
- How many countries?
- How many languages are spoken?
- Which are the main languages?
- Which countries hold the most power?
- Are there any Empires?
- What systems of Government are in use?
- Which time period is most reflective of your worlds current state (e.g. Victorian, Medieval, Futuristic)?
- Do any elements of another time period enter your world (e.g. a medieval-esque world with Victorian level technology)?
- Do some countries in your world have more in common with one time period than another?
- Is international trade the norm?
- If so, is it formally arranged or undertaken by single businesses and traders?
- Is there a recognised tax system?
- How do people communicate over large distances?
- Can people communicate over large distances?
- Are there class systems in place?
- How many different races (e.g. human, alien species, fantasy species) are there in your world?
- How many ethnicities are there?
- Is Religion a big factor in your world?
- How many religions are there?
- Is there a dominant religion?
- Are any of your countries at war?
- Which of your countries have warred with each other in the past?
- Which countries are allied with each other?
- Do any of your countries have systems of slavery or indentured servitude in place?
Magic and Technology
- Do any of your cultures believe in/ practice magic?
- Is it real/ does it work?
- If not – what practices do they have that are linked to their beliefs and why do they continue with them?
- If so, what kinds of magic are there?
- Can everyone practice one or all kinds of magic?
- What are the limitations (e.g. magic use saps life force, requires items, etc)?
- Is there anything that magic cannot achieve?
- Is magic formally taught, learned through apprenticeship, or a natural gift?
- What is the view of the populous with regard to magic?
- Are magic users considered superior, inferior, or equal to non-magic users?
- Who are the great magic users of your world?
- Are there any legal restrictions on magic?
- How does magic make up for the weaknesses in your worlds technology?
- Do magic and technology meet in any way?
- How does technology make up for the limitations of magic?
- Do all countries have access to the same technology?
- Is there any one way in which technology is primarily used (e.g. agriculture, military etc)?
- Is technology readily accessible to all classes?
- Is technology used on a household or industrial scale?
- Is technology used for non-essential pursuits, e.g. entertainment, yet?
- Who are the great inventors of your world?
- What are the limitations of technology in your world?
- Is there any technology which can suppress, dispel, or dampen magic?
- How is technological growth and development fuelled?
- Are there any legal restrictions on technologies?
Flora, Fauna, and Environment
- Does your world have all the “usual” hemispheres (is it earth or earth-like)?
- Which environment/habitat makes up the largest part of your world (sea, forest/jungle, desert, or mountains)?
- Is your world mostly temperate?
- How many deserts/wastelands are there?
- What challenges do they pose to the populations of your world (e.g. to transport, communication etc)?
- Which regions of your world are entirely uninhabitable?
- Why are they uninhabitable?
- What caused them to be this way?
- Has anyone tried to live in them before?
- Are there any animals which can survive in these deserts/wastes?
- Which animals are most revered in your world/cultures?
- Which animals are most feared?
- Are there any animals which can use magic, or which are inherently magical?
- Are there any animals which are hunted because of their magical properties?
- Which animals, if any, are domesticated?
- What are their roles?
- Can any animals communicate with non-magic using humans?
- Which plants are used for magic?
- Which plants are poisonous?
- Which plants have healing properties?
- Are there any plants which are both?
- Is there any animal or plant so rare as to be priceless?
- Are there any minerals/rocks which are sought after as sources of magic, power, or food for your peoples?
- Which metals or rocks are seen as valuable?
- Assuming your world does not work on a system of barter – which metal, rock, plant, or animal products are used as currency in your world?
Culture, Society, And History
- How old do the peoples of your world think it is?
- Is history most often recorded in the written or oral tradition?
- What are five key events in your worlds history?
- Do all societies understand the history of your world the same way?
- How do they differ?
- How have the events of history changed the culture and society of your world/countries?
- Do the cultures of your world share any common traditions or beliefs?
- Is education available to all?
- Is there an ‘elite’ form of education (e.g. further education abroad, as in Medieval Europe)?
- Are there any universal laws in your world?
- How are they enforced?
- Are any of your countries entirely (read 85 – 95%) illiterate or lawless?
- Who rules these countries?
- Do the rulers choose to maintain this state of being? If so why?
- To what extent do the cultures of your world value music, performance, and art?
- Are there any martial cultures in your world?
- Are there any nomadic societies in your world?
- How do the cultures at different extremes interact with one another?
- Is diplomacy common to all cultures?
- Is there an ‘Invisible’ culture (for example, a caste of nobles or travellers which span the world).
- Are there any cultures which exist in isolation?
- How important is the written word in your world?
- Are there accepted rules of engagement in war between your countries?
- How do the people of your world view beauty regimes and products? (Doe such things exist)?
- How do your cultures view sex work?
World-Building Resources
World Building 101
Welcome To World Building
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