Originally created by u/SixtrapAK1 on r/worldbuilding.

History

  • What has preceded the current state of your world? (Periods of time)
  • Any historical events? Any major conflicts? How influential were these events? In what way?
  • How is stability and balance of power maintained? Current status?
  • How does time work in this world? What does this imply? (Daytime, Years, Months, etc.)

Economy

  • How does the economic system work? (Currency? Inflation? Banks? Barter System? etc.)
  • How does the chain of production work? Who controls it? With what purpose?
  • What are the most valuable resources of this world? How are these resources bought and sold? (Regulation? Landowners? etc.)
  • How can one society be considered “wealthier” compared to others?

Religion

  • How does each civilization perceive reality and the beginning of it? How did it actually start?
  • Holy entities of those religions? Are actual entities present in the world?
  • Main myths, legends, tenets, ideals? How are they documented and affect society?
  • How do religions clash? Do they clash?

Mechanics

  • What are the limits of your magic? Hard system? Soft system? Forbidden practices?
  • What has magical abilities? How can one get access to it? What can be achieved with magic?
  • Any new technology? How does it work? Futuristic ways of transport/communication?
  • How does magic-tech affect and interact with your society? What pros and cons do they have?

Executive

  • Systems of government (Tribal, Democratic, Dynasties, Special system, etc.)
  • Who has the power? How is it exchanged?
  • How are the laws created? How are the new amendments decided?
  • Law enforcement systems. (Military? Police? Administration? Penitentiary?)

Topography

  • How does your world map look? Remarkable landscapes? What natural resources are available?
  • How is the weather and climate? How do they change?
  • How does the location of society affect its chances of survival/culture?
  • How different is the urban world from the rural world?

Inhabitants

  • How many intelligent species live in the world? How do they interact with each other?
  • How do these species live? Do these species have subgroups? Any special traits?
  • Any new animals or plants? What interactions do they create?
  • What new materials/resources/food does your world have?

Culture

  • What are the most important features/flaws/differences of your culture? Any new language?
  • The main works of art/literature/construction? Their influence?
  • What conflicts do your societies have? Big conflicts? Current?
  • What does this culture prioritize? What does it try to develop the most?

Social Scale

  • Who are the most important people? Who is the least important?
  • How do they differ/makes them different? How do these classes coexist?
  • Any particular class or a fraction of class with a special status? What’s important about them and what do they do? (Church? Military? Merchants?)
  • Hog
    link
    English
    11 year ago

    Actually very relevant questions to ask, though I would be interested in discussing the priority you give to those. Some have a severe case of diminishing returns, but are nonetheless crucial to at least determine to some extent…