Need To Make A Last Minute Fantasy City/town?

Writing Notes & References

Alchemy ⚜ Antidote to Anxiety ⚜ Attachment ⚜ Autopsy

Art: Elements ⚜ Principles ⚜ Photographs ⚜ Watercolour

Bruises ⚜ Caffeine ⚜ Color Blindness ⚜ Cruise Ships

Children ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ Childhood Bilingualism

Dangerousness ⚜ Drowning ⚜ Dystopia ⚜ Dystopian World

Culture ⚜ Culture Shock ⚜ Ethnocentrism & Cultural Relativism

Emotions: Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness) ⚜ Quirks

Facial Expressions ⚜ Laughter & Humour ⚜ Swearing & Taboo

Fantasy Creatures ⚜ Fantasy World Building

Generations ⚜ Literary & Character Tropes

Fight Scenes ⚜ Kill Adverbs

Food: Cooking Basics ⚜ Herbs & Spices ⚜ Sauces ⚜ Wine-tasting ⚜ Aphrodisiacs ⚜ List of Aphrodisiacs ⚜ Food History ⚜ Cocktails ⚜ Literary & Hollywood Cocktails ⚜ Liqueurs

Genre: Crime ⚜ Horror ⚜ Fantasy ⚜ Speculative Biology

Hate ⚜ Love ⚜ Kinds of Love ⚜ The Physiology of Love

How to Write: Food ⚜ Colours ⚜ Drunkenness

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory ⚜ Memoir

Magic: Magic System ⚜ 10 Uncommon ⚜ How to Choose

Moon: Part 1 2 ⚜ Related Words

Mystical Items & Objects ⚜ Talisman ⚜ Relics ⚜ Poison

Pain ⚜ Pain & Violence ⚜ Poison Ivy & Poison Oak

Realistic Injuries ⚜ Rejection ⚜ Structural Issues ⚜ Villains

Symbolism: Colors ⚜ Food ⚜ Numbers ⚜ Storms

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Terms of Endearment ⚜ Ways of Saying "No" ⚜ Yoga

Compilations: Plot ⚜ Character ⚜ Worldbuilding ⚜ For Poets ⚜ Tips & Advice

all posts are queued. will update this every few weeks/months. send questions or requests here ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

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Cool Places for TTRPG PCs to meet

Places where people meet

Inn (you heard this one before)

Singles' mixer

Party

Convention

Jobs fair

School

Work

University

Expeditions (safari, mountain climbing)

Shared carriage/uber/train/boat

Pirate ship

Hospital

Waiting room

Summer camp

Wedding

Grand opening

Pride event

Potluck

Charity event

Church

Model UN

Bookclub

Parent/teacher conference

PAC meeting

HOA meeting

Senior's home

Ball

Ren faire

Farmer's market

Christmas tree farm

Exposition

Adult's class

LARP camp

Coronation

Running event

Car lot

Protest

Online chatroom

Social media

Public places for the inciting incident to take place

Public swimming place (pool, lake, ocean)

Park

Coffee shop

Fair

Circus

War camp

Campsite

Bathhouse

Concert

Public speaking engagement

Funeral

Parade

Museam

Ice cream shop

Art exhibition

Library

Archive

Haunted house

Open house

Apartment complex

Elevator

Grocery store

Field trip

Gym

Cruise ship

Hotel

Casino

Volcano

Airplane

Ferry

Power station

Sale event

Factory

Farm

Premier

Apiary

Gardens

Dig site

Ancient temple

Aquarium

Theatre

Mineshaft

The inciting incident is taking place

Hired for the same job

Being kidnapped

Murder suspects

Witnesses to a crime

Wildly impractical execution methods

Detention

Athletic competition

Refugee camp

Tournament

Alien abduction

Hell

Heaven

Isolated together somewhere (island, prison, last man on earth)

Villains lair

Shared dream

Political campaign

Game show

Audition

Jail

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Worldbuilding Tips: Religion

With religion in stories specifically fantasy, I feel as though the extent in which we see it explored is the characters will in dialogue or in thought curse saying things like gods, by the gods, or other curses. Hey, I do it to so know I’m not judging but I do want more expansion on these religions. If you want to expand on your world-building just research religions in our lives.

Think about it: in Christianity (I’m only using this because it’s what I’m most familiar, but feel free to get inspiration from other faiths) the church provided multiple services throughout history, priests and nuns often took care of orphans, were literate, recorded births, recorded deaths, performed weddings rites.

The religion should also have practical functions for example, in my own work their is a goddess of death. I had to think how this god would be worshipped and how the faith would get money to continue functioning and feeding their clergy. They’d do religious ceremonies, funeral rites, eliminate undead, and tend to burial grounds.

In secrecy though, if your a fan of secret religions, this same religion also works with assassinations and kills the people the god demands to die.

What I’m saying is that the religion in your own story should have some function in society whether it is widely known or not. This allows the world to feel more fleshed out and worked on. Also show the negative aspects of the religion and positive aspects.

Questions you should ask yourself:

What does a healthy relationship with that religion look like?

What does a toxic one look like?

What aesthetics are involved in this religion?

(The lamb of god): lamb symbolizes Jesus so think about the symbols in your story. If there is a holy animal is it a sin to kill it. Is it used in sacrifice?

Polytheistic? If so what does each god represent? Aspects of nature or society? (Think Titans vs the Olympians in Greek mythology)

Additionally, what values are important to the said culture the religion springs from?

If there are scriptures or sayings from the religion what are they?

Some religions are ethno-religions meaning only people of an ethnicity can be in the religion, if a religion has this what are the implications that would have in your world?

Can just anybody convert to the said religion and how?

What sacraments are in the religion?

How is somebody venerated in the religion (like sainthood)?

What environment do people worship in?

In Christianity, there was a movement namely baroque, renaissance, and medieval period to show the glory of god through how the buildings looked. The Protestant movement challenged this making more humble churches. Think about that when making your own religion. How do they present holy places?

Remember that religion is used to explain what philosophy and science can’t explain. Depending on when the religion is started and the extent of technology in the world they might have myths for anything like why animals exist? The seasons? Weather? And more conceptual things like why people began fighting wars? Why people die and where we go after we die?

Now this can all seem like a lot and you don’t have to include all of this but it is helpful when creating a world because religion affects aspects of culture, how the characters were raised, government, and even wars.

If you like posts like these, I have more and comment what you’ve done in your own works or what you’d like to see!

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I see a lot of "roll for character" for dnd 5e, but i start to understand its not what would suit for me, so

i make a pathfinder 1e version!

feel free to use it for art or for creating a character!!

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Worldbuilding and Magic Systems: Things to Consider

Have a magic system in mind for your fantasy world? Here's a list of things to consider to help you tie this system into the rest of your worldbuilding, so that it feels more believable and realistic.

Source

What is the source of magic? Is it natural or man-made? Can humans use magic or is it a force of nature that only animals or other races can use?

Does magic originate from inside a person or does it require external items to use? If it comes from items, can the items be made? How long does it take to make the items?

Does the magic cost anything- money, stamina, health, etc.?

Can a person be cut off from being able to use magic? If so, how?

Prevalence

How common is magic in your world? Is it so common that everyone has seen it or is it a subject of myths and rumors?

How long have the people in your world known about magic? Has it always been there or is it a new discovery?

How much does the average person know about magic? How much do experts know? What do people not understand about this magic? Are there any common misconceptions? Myths?

Is magic revered or feared? Or if it's common, is it taken for granted? Are there any taboos surrounding magic?

How many types of magic are there? Are some more common than others?

Are there dedicated schools of thought surrounding the study of magic? Is it taught about in schools? If so, is it taught to children or only at the college (or equivalent) level?

Accessibility

Who can use magic? Who can't? Is it something that only the rich and powerful can use? Why? Or do genetics determine who can use it? Wealth?

Are there any physical limitations that might restrict who can use magic? For instance, maybe old or sickly people can't use magic because it requires a lot of physical effort. Does your society provide accommodations for people who can't use magic? Is a lack of magic ability considered a disability?

Does education level determine capacity for magic?

How easy is it to gain access to magic? How easy is it to learn about magic?

Power/Usefulness

How powerful or useful is magic for different parts of society? Military? Medicine? Entertainment? Art? Childcare? Government? Communication? Business?

How does magic affect the politics of your world? How does it shape the economy? Are there feuds over the use of magic? Do powerful groups in your world have an incentive to limit the use and accessibility of magic? Why?

What happens when people no longer have access to magic? Does this cripple their ability to go through their daily lives? How?

Mix, match, and cross-reference these with other elements of your worldbuilding to form a believable magic system that lives and breaths just as the rest of your world does. For every answer you give to the questions above, consider and build upon the implications of what that might mean for your world. A worldbuilder's best skill is the ability to ask "How will this affect ___?" So make sure you're always considering the ripple effects of each element you add to your world.

Happy worldbuilding y'all!

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Worldbuilding: Questions to Consider

Government & authority:

Types of government: What type of government exists (monarchy, democracy, theocracy, etc.)? Is it centralised or decentralised?

Leadership: Who holds power and how is it acquired (inheritance, election, divine right, conquest)?

Law enforcement: Who enforces the laws (military, police, magical entities)?

Legal system: How are laws made, interpreted, and enforced? Are there courts, judges, or councils?

Laws:

Criminal laws: What constitutes a crime? What are the punishments?

Civil laws: How are disputes between individuals resolved?

Cultural norms: How do customs and traditions influence the laws?

Magic/supernatural: Are there laws governing the use of magic or interaction with supernatural beings?

Social structure:

Class/status: How is society divided (nobility, commoners, slaves)? Are there caste systems or social mobility?

Rights & freedoms: What rights do individuals have (speech, religion, property)?

Discrimination: Are there laws that protect or discriminate against certain groups (race, gender, species, culture)?

Economy & trade:

Currency: What is used as currency? Is it standardised?

Trade laws: Are there regulations on trade, tariffs, or embargoes?

Property laws: How is ownership determined and transferred? Are there inheritance laws?

Religion/belief systems:

Religious authority: What role does religion play in governance? Are religious leaders also political leaders?

Freedom of religion: Are citizens free to practice different religions? If not, which are taboo?

Holy laws: Are there laws based on religious texts or teachings?

Military & defense:

Standing army: Is there a professional military or a militia? Who serves, and how are they recruited?

War & peace: What are the laws regarding war, peace treaties, and diplomacy?

Weapons: Are there restrictions or laws regarding weapons for civilians? What is used as a weapon? Who has access to them?

Technology & magic:

Technological advancements: How advanced is the technology (medieval, steampunk, futuristic, etc.)?

Magical laws: Are there regulations on the use of magic, magical creatures, or artifacts?

Innovation & research: How are inventors and researchers treated? Are there laws protecting intellectual property?

Environmental/resource management:

Natural resources: How are resources like water, minerals, and forests managed and protected, if at all?

Environmental laws: Are there protections for the environment? How are they enforced? Are there consequences for violations?

Cultural & ethical considerations:

Cultural diversity: How does the law accommodate or suppress cultural diversity?

Ethics: What are the ethical foundations of the laws? Are there philosophical or moral principles that underpin them?

Traditions vs. change: Does the society balance tradition with progress? How?

Happy writing ❤

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Horror Idea/Prompt #45 : Uncanny Valley

Explorers in an uncharted region of space find an Earth-like planet, suitable for habitation.

But upon landing, they are disturbed by just how closely it resembles Earth. The same geography, the same flora, even cities built in the style of different human cultures.

But no people. No animals. Just a quiet, empty replica.

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Small fantasy worldbuilding elements you might want to think about:

A currency that isn’t gold-standard/having gold be as valuable as tin

A currency that runs entirely on a perishable resource, like cocoa beans

A clock that isn’t 24-hours

More or less than four seasons/seasons other than the ones we know

Fantastical weather patterns like irregular cloud formations, iridescent rain

Multiple moons/no moon

Planetary rings

A northern lights effect, but near the equator

Roads that aren’t brown or grey/black, like San Juan’s blue bricks

Jewelry beyond precious gems and metals

Marriage signifiers other than wedding bands

The husband taking the wife's name / newlyweds inventing a new surname upon marriage

No concept of virginity or bastardry

More than 2 genders/no concept of gender

Monotheism, but not creationism

Gods that don’t look like people

Domesticated pets that aren’t re-skinned dogs and cats

Some normalized supernatural element that has nothing to do with the plot

Magical communication that isn’t Fantasy Zoom

“Books” that aren’t bound or scrolls

A nonverbal means of communicating, like sign language

A race of people who are obligate carnivores/ vegetarians/ vegans/ pescatarians (not religious, biological imperative)

I’ve done about half of these myself in one WIP or another and a little detail here or there goes a long way in reminding the audience that this isn’t Kansas anymore.

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worldbuilding holidays; possible traditions for holidays based on historical events:

commemorating victims of the historical event

parades

mass lighting candles

displaying art related to the event

cooking traditional dishes

organizing discussions and lectures to educate the public

planting commemorative trees

family trips to museums

discussions with people who lived through the event

reenacting the event

family reunions

wearing awareness accessories (ribbons, etc.)

political figures giving commemorative speeches

fundraisers for victims of the event

workshops to educate children in schools

building monuments/statues

feel free to add more!

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World Building Checklist

Have you ever started writing a story and realized your world has a bunch of unexplained shit and you have to fill in the gaps as you go? Me too, buddy. Me too. Here’s a checklist so that you can fully flesh out your world to the max. (I’m dying)

How does Time work? (Minutes, hours, days, the daylight cycle, years, ect.)

Species (if Fantasy. Will probably make another post on this.)

Countries, Nations, Tribes, ect. (nationalities/ races. Will probably make another post on this.)

The geography of the world (draw a map. Doesnt have to be good. Just for a general idea.)

Rivalries between races (includes prejudice, racism, ect.)

Religions

Technology

The Magic system. (Will probably make a whole other post on this.)

animals, plants, ect.

The sky: Sun, Moon(s), Stars, Constellation, Are there rings? (If the planet has rings)

Educations system

Government system

Politics

Methods of transport (Vehicles)

Medicine

Can’t really think of anything else. If you have more to add then reblog and add to the list! :) bye bee

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