Things to Consider When World-Building

[newtypeshadow46]

Things to Consider When World-Building

Maps

Technological level of the peoples in the world

Economy
- Trade routes
- What is traded?
- Currency

language
- How many?
- Who speaks what?
- How difficult are languages to learn?
- Difference in language  social differences

Religion
- What is worshiped? Why?
- Church militant?
- Tithing? Sacrifice?
- Evangelical or passive?
- Feeling toward other religions?

Politics

Military

The Law
- Court system?
- Law enforcement – honest or bribable?
- Laws on weapons and speech

Ecology
- Land masses and positions
- Climate
- Water available
- Flora and fauna

Humans
- Phenotypic variance & prejudices
- Cultures

Magic

Music, art, culture

History


The above notes were taken at a ConBust panel chaired by George Claxton III.

~*~
Websites:
http://www.seventhsanctum.com/www/wwwfull.html - Seventh Sanctum: A Way With Worlds
http://www.otherworlds.net/otherworlds.net/worldbld.htm - books on world building
http://www.sfwa.org/writing/worldbuilding1.htm - Fantasy World-building Questions by Patricia C. Wrede
http://www.sfwa.org/writing/worldbuilding1.htm - World Builder Projects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World-building - Wikipedia: World Building

Comments

[begeistert.livejournal.com]

Excellent list. You could probably just talk to George for more information . . .

[newtypeshadow46.livejournal.com]

yeah, i want him to e-mail me his notes for the panel. i didn't get everything down.