World Building Instructions

8/13/2019 World Building Instructions

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Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions: The World

By Patricia C. Wrede

• Basics

• Are the laws of nature and physics actually different in this world, or are they the

sae as in real life! "ow does agic fit in! "ow do agical beasts fit in!

• #s this generally an earth$li%e world! #s it an &alternate 'arth(!

• Are there different huan races, whether or not there are non$huans li%e el)es ordwar)es! "ow does the cultural and ethnic di)ersity of this world copare to the real

world!

• "ow long ha)e there been people on this world! *id they e)ol)e, or did they igrate

fro soewhere+when else!

• "ow any people are there in this country! "ow does this copare with world

population! What is considered a sall town+large town+city in ters of nuber of

people!

• Where does agic power coe fro: the gods, the &ana( of the world as in -arry

i)en/s &Warloc%( stories0, the personal willpower or life force of the agician,

soewhere else! #s agic an e1haustible resource! #f a agician ust feed his spellswith his own willpower, life$force, or sanity, what long$ter effects will this ha)e on

the health and+or stability of the agician! *o different races+species ha)e different

sources for their agic, or does e)erybody use the sae one!

• Alternate 'arth

• Are there non$huan inhabitants of this planet el)es, dwar)es, aliens0! #f so, how

nuerous! "ow openly present! What areas do they occupy e1aples: dwar)es in

ountains or ca)es, el)es in forests, etc.0!

• "ow siilar are the history and culture of the alternate earth to real history and

culture! Why is it so siilar+different!

• #s there a specific historical point where this world split off fro ours e.g., apoleon

won at Waterloo0! #f so, what was it! "ow long ago was it! "ow uch has changedand will continue to change as a result! #s the split in history a result of the presence

of agic, or is the change the thing that ade wor%able agic a possibility!

• #f there is no specific point of di)ergence, what are the differences between this

iaginary world and the real one! "ow ob)ious are they in e)eryday life! #f agic

e1ists but history is ore or less the sae, why has it had no effect! #f agic wor%s,

el)es e1ist, etc., but ost people don/t %now it, how and why has this been %ept

secret!

• #f agic is %nown to e1ist, which historical e)ents ha)e changed and which are the

sae! "ow ha)e organi2ed religions reacted! 3o)ernents! 4rdinary people! What

laws and+or professions are different! What effect will the general and specificdifferences ha)e on the social 5uestions below!

• ot 'arth at All

• "ow does this world differ physically fro earth! #s it the sae si2e sae density,

sae gra)ity0, sae ratio of land+water, sae atosphere, etc.! *oes it ha)e ore

than one sun or oon! 6ings! Are there spectacular constellations+coets, etc.

)isible at night or by day!

• Are there non$huan inhabitants of this planet el)es, dwar)es, aliens0! #f so, how

nuerous! "ow openly present! What areas do they occupy!

• "ow are the continents laid out! #f there is ore than one oon+sun, how does this

affect winds, tides, and weather generally!

• "ow uch land is there, and how uch of it is habitable!

• #s the a1ial tilt and orbit the sae 7 i.e., does the world ha)e the sae seasons and

sae length of year as 'arth!



##. Physical and "istorical Features

• 3eneral

• #n which geographical areas will the story ta%e place! "ow uch ground will the

story co)er! What are the ost stri%ing features of landscape, cliate, anials, etc.

in thisarea! "ow will these features affect tra)el tie, counication, etc.!

• #f there are non$huan inhabitants, are there any areas they particularly clai as theirown e.g., dwar)es traditionally li)e underground, usually in ountains0!

• Cliate and 3eography

• "a)e huan acti)ities affected cliate, landscape, etc. in )arious regions! "ow!

'1aple: 8ahara *esert growth has been increased by o)er$faring.0 #f this is an

alternate earth, will the &alternate( part change e1isting effects! #f there are no

people in . Africa, desert growth is probably slower.0

• "ow do differences fro 'arth ultiple suns, oons, etc.0 affect the cliate in

)arious areas!

• "ow uch land is in each of the e5uatorial, teperate, and polar 2ones!

ote: cliate affects landscape through erosion and weathering9 the distribution of plants and anials, and foration of soil. As a result, it deterines what crops can

and can/t be grown, what anials can and can/t li)e in an area, what clothes ust be

worn to cope with the weather, and how houses are built. Winter free2ing and

thawing ay change tra)el patterns, as waterways free2e or flood and passes close.

Weather also affects a)ailable sports, li%e s%iing. Are all these things consistent with

what you say the cliate is li%e in particular areas!

• Where are aor ountain ranges! 6i)ers and la%es! *eserts! Forests, tropical and

otherwise! 3rasslands and plains!

• #f there are iaginary anials dragons, unicorns, etc.0, how do they fit into the

ecology! What do they eat! "ow uch habitat do they re5uire! Can they li)e

anywhere, or do they prefer or need specific %inds of cliate or terrain! Are theyintelligent and+or capable of wor%ing spells, tal%ing, etc.!

• atural 6esources

• Which areas are the ost fertile farland! Where are ineral resources located!

• Which anials, birds, fish, and other wildlife are coonly found in which areas! #f

there are iaginary anials such as dragons, where do they li)e!

• Which natural resources, if any, ha)e been depleted in which areas o)er tie!

• Which resources e.g., coal, oil, iron ore, gold, diaonds, liestone, etc.0 are

particularly abundant, and in which areas! Which are scarce! Are there places where

there are rich deposits that ha)en/t been disco)ered yet, or where they ha)en/t been

fully e1ploited!• "ow uch conflict has been or ight be caused by these ibalances in resources!

"ow uch acti)e, peaceful trade!

• What water resources a)ailable, and for what uses a ill wheel re5uires flowing

water, i.e., ri)er or strea9 irrigation needs a large, dependable water source li%e a

la%e or large ri)er9 etc.0!

• World "istory

• "ow far bac% are there records or tales of historical e)ents! "ow widely %nown are

these stories!

• *o a)erage people belie)e old tales, or do they disiss soe that ha)e a basis in fact

e.g., Troy0!

• "ow long ha)e there been people on this world! *id they e)ol)e, were they created

by the gods, or did they igrate fro soewhere else! #f there are non$huans, how

long ha)e they been around and where did they coe fro!



• "ow siilar is the history and culture of an alternate earth to real history and

culture! Why is it siilar+different!

• Where did ci)ili2ation begin! What directions did it spread! "ow was its

de)elopent affected by the presence of agic! The presence of non$huan races, if

any! The actions or direct inter)entions of the gods!

• Which peoples+countries+races ha)e traditionally fought, allied, traded, or been

ri)als! Where are there still hard feelings about old e)ents!• Which peoples+countries+races ha)e been in conflict in the recent past! Why! When

and why was the ost recent war! Who won!

• Which peoples+etc. are considered the ost ci)ili2ed! Which are ost

technologically ad)anced! Which are ost agically ad)anced! -east ad)anced!

Why!

• #s there a single, generally accepted calendar including tie easureents0, or do

different countries or peoples or races ha)e different ones!

• "ow any languages are there! Which ones are related e.g., the 6oance

languages0 and why! Which languages borrow words or phrases fro other

languages! Which is li%ely to be ost widely spo%en!• #s there a &trade language( that facilitates coerce between countries that don/t

spea% the sae tongue! #s there a &uni)ersal language( spo%en by educated or noble

persons, as -atin was in the ;iddle Ages!

• 8pecific Countrys0 "istory

• "ow accessible is this area! What natural features ar% the borders! Who are the

neighboring countries+peoples and what are they li%e!

• Why did people settle in this country in the first place 7 strategic location, trade

route, water transport, inerals, good faring, etc.! "a)e things changed uch

since, or do they still depend on whate)er brought the in the first place!

• "ow do the weapons of this country copare with those of surrounding cities and

countries! "a)e there been recent inno)ations that ay upset the balance of power,

or is e)eryone ore or less e5ual!

• Who are the ri)als or eneies of this country! "ow close are they physically! "ow

powerful!

• Who are the heroes and )illains of each country/s history e.g., Washington and

-incoln in the <.8.9 "enry = in 'ngland, etc.0! Why are they heroes+)illains and

what do this say about the country and the people who adire the!



people!

•"ow di)erse is the population of this country 7 how any different races huan ornon$huan0, creeds, etc. norally li)e in )arious cities and towns in this country! #n

what percentages!

• #s population shifting fro rural to urban, south to north, ountains to coast, etc.!

Why 7 in)asion, plague, gold rush, etc.! What effects has this had on the places

being left! The places gaining people!

• #s agic legal here! All agic, or only soe types! *o laws )ary widely fro

country to country, or is the attitude generally siilar!

• What does this country iport! '1port! "ow iportant is trade to the econoy!

"ow is currency e1change handled, and by who! What is the syste of coinage,

and who ints it!

• Which peoples+countries+races ha)e been in conflict in the recent past! Why! When

and why was the ost recent war! Who won!

• Which peoples+countries+races fought, allied, traded, or were traditional ri)als!



Where are there still hard feelings about old e)ents!

• "ow uch of the country is farland! Forest! *esert! ;ountains! Plains!

• What are the priary crops e.g., potatoes, cotton, tobacco, coffee, rice, peanuts,

wheat, sugarcane, etc.0! Are any grown ainly for e1port! What crops can not be

grown here because of the soil, cliate, or for other reasons!

• What water resources a)ailable, and for what uses a ill wheel re5uires flowing

water, i.e., ri)er or strea9 irrigation needs a large, dependable water source li%e ala%e or large ri)er: etc.0!

• What wild anials, actual or iaginary, li)e in this area! Are any of the potentially

useful 7 e.g., for fur, whale oil, hides, agical ingredients, hat feathers!

• Which anials, actual or iaginary, are coonly doesticated in this area! Which

aren/t here, but are elsewhere! '1aple: water buffalo in #ndia )s. o1en in 'urope

)s. caels in desert areas.0

• "ow do ost of the citi2ens a%e their li)ing 7 faring, fishing, trade,

anufacturing! *o non$huans tend to ta%e up different trades fro huans! Are

they legally liited to certain trades!

6ules of ;agic

• What things can agic not do! What are the liits to agical power! "ow do

agicians try to get around these liits!

• What is the price agicians ust pay in order to be agicians 7 years of study,

peranent celibacy, using up bits of their life or eory with each spell, etc.! *oes

anyone e)er try to get around the price of agic!

• #s there a difference between iracles and agic! #f so, how are they distinguished!

• Where does agic power coe fro: the gods, the &ana( of the world, the personal

willpower of the agician! #s agic an e1haustible resource! #f a agician ust

feed his spells with his own willpower, life$force, or sanity, what long$ter effectswill this ha)e on the health and+or stability of the agician! *o different

races+species ha)e different sources for their agic, or does e)erybody use the sae

one!

• "ow does a agician tap his+her agic power! *oes becoing a agician re5uire

soe rite of passage in)esting one/s power in an obect, being chosen by the gods,

constructing or being gi)en a peranent lin% to the source of power0 or does it ust

happen naturally, as a gradual result of uch study or as a part of growing up!

• What do you need to do to cast a spell 7 design an elaborate ritual, recite poetry,

i1 the right ingredients in a pot! Are there things li%e a staff, a wand, a failiar, a

crystal ball, that are necessary to ha)e before casting spells! #f so, where and how do

new wi2ards get these things! *o they a%e the, buy the fro craftsen, inheritthe fro their teachers, or order the fro Wi2ardry 8upplies, #nc.!

• #s there a nuerical liit to the nuber of wi2ards in the world! What is it! Why!

• "ow long does it ta%e to cast a spell! Can spells be stored for later, instant use! *oes

wor%ing spells ta%e lots of long ritual, or is agic a &point and shoot( affair!

• Can two or ore wi2ards cobine their power to cast a stronger spell, or is agic

done only by indi)iduals! What a%es one wi2ard ore powerful than another 7

%nowledge of ore spells, ability to handle greater le)els of power, ha)ing a ore

powerful god as patron, etc.!

• *oes practicing agic ha)e any detriental effect on the agician such as

becoing addicti)e, foenting insanity, or shortening life$span0! #f so, is there anyway to pre)ent these effects! Are the effects ine)itable to all agicians, or do they

affect only those with soe sort of predisposition! *o they progress at the sae rate

in e)eryone! Are they uni)ersal in all species, or are soe races dwar)es, el)es,



whoe)er0 iune to these detriental effects!

• "ow uch is %nown about the laws of nature, physics, and agic! "ow uch of

what is coonly %nown is wrong e.g., Aristotle/s ideas about huan anatoy,

which were wrong but accepted for centuries0!

• What general )arieties of agic are practiced e.g., herbal potions, ritual agic,

alcheical agic, deonology, necroancy, etc.0! *o any wor% better than others,

or does only one )ariety actually wor%!• Are certain %inds of agic practiced solely or chiefly by one se1 or the other! By one

race or another! #s this because of inborn ability, natural preferences, or legislation!

• *oes a agician/s agical ability or power change o)er tie 7 e.g., growing

stronger or wea%er during puberty, or with increasing age! Can a agician &use up(

all of his+her agic, thus ceasing to be a agician! #f this happens, what does the e1$

agician do 7 die, retire, ta%e up teaching, go into a second career, start a freelance

consulting business!

• Can the ability to do agic be lost! #f so, how 7 o)erdoing it, &burning out,( brain

daage due to fe)er or a blow, etc.!

•

Can the ability to wor% agic be ta%en away! #f so, how and by who! Traditionale1aple: certain spells that can only be wor%ed by )irgins9 raping such a witch

robbed her of her powers.0

• Wi2ards

• *oes practicing agic ha)e any detriental effect on the agician such as

becoing addicti)e, foenting insanity, or shortening life$span0! #f so, is there any

way to pre)ent these effects! Are the effects ine)itable to all agicians, or do they

affect only those with soe sort of predisposition! *o they progress at the sae rate

in e)eryone! Are they uni)ersal in all species, or are soe races dwar)es, el)es,

whoe)er0 iune to these detriental effects!

• What is the price agicians ust pay in order to be agicians 7 years of study,

peranent celibacy, using up bits of their life or eory with each spell, etc.! *oesanyone e)er try to get around the price of agic!

• "ow do )arious religions,if any, )iew agic! *o any forbid it! Why or why not! *o

any re5uire priests+priestesses to be agicians! *o any forbid agicians fro

holding soe or all religious offices!

• "ow long does it ta%e to learn agic!

• #s agic a profession, an art, or ust a ob! What is the status accorded to agicians

in this society! Are they the e5ui)alent of shyster lawyers, politicians, and used car

salesen, or are they considered a)erage wor%ing stiffs, or are they loo%ed up to and

adired!

•

Are wi2ards organi2ed! "ow! What hierarchy, if any, do they recogni2e! Whathappens if the person+people at the top get %illed! Who ta%es o)er! "ow soon!

• Can anyone becoe a wi2ard, or does one need to be born with soe special talent

or gift!

• Are different races+intelligent species good at different types of agic! #f so, what

types are associated with what races+species! Are there species that use agic ore

or less unconsciously 7 for instance, dragons using agic to fly without being

consciously aware of it, or werewol)es using agic to change!

• Can you a%e a li)ing practicing agic, or do you ha)e to ha)e independent eans!

#f you can a%e a li)ing, what are you doing 7 a%ing agic swords, or a%ing it

rain for local farers! What/s a wi2ard/s ob ar%et li%e! What/s a wi2ard/s a)erage

incoe, relati)e to the rest of society!• Are agicians a force in politics, or are they abo)e it! Are there national politics that

re)ol)e around agic+wi2ards i.e., trying to outlaw, protect, or proote certain



%inds of agic, trying to draft wi2ards into a ruler/s ary, licensing of agicians,

etc.0! *o wi2ards ha)e a lobby! *o they need one!

• *oes it re5uire a license to be a wi2ard! #f so, is it ore li%e a dri)er/s license

soething nearly e)eryone in our culture gets upon coing of age0 or li%e a doctor/s

license soething only a sall percentage of the population will e)er get0! Who

certifies wi2ards: go)ernent, wi2ard/s guild+A;A, local priests!

• "ow do local people )iew wi2ards! Are they good guys, bad guys, Clint 'astwoodcall in only to get rid of dragons0, regular wor%ing stiffs, i)ory$tower acadeics,

nuisances who a%e it rain when you/re plowing, dangerous fol%s to stay away

fro!

• "ow do you get to be a wi2ard+agician! *oes it re5uire inborn talent, study and

hard wor%, practice, or all of the abo)e!

• Are wi2ards barred fro certain %inds of go)ernent obs or offices! *o soe

go)ernent obs re5uire that their holder be a wi2ard!

• #f agic re5uires study, where do you go to learn about it! "ow do people fund their

training! #s there an apprenticeship syste, or are there wi2ard schools, or is it one$

on$one tutoring+entoring! #s an untrained wi2ard dangerous, or ust an ordinary

person!

• *o wi2ards ha)e a special language that is used for agic! #f so, where do they learn

it! #s it safe to chat in this language, or is e)erything said in it autoatically a spell!

#f so, how can it safely be taught to new students!

• #s agic considered a science, or are scientists and wi2ards eneies or ri)als! Are

agic and science copatible! To what degree does the presence of agic, agical

obects, and wi2ards replace technology for e1aple, a chest that is enchanted to

%eep its contents cold could replace the refrigerator0! *uplicate technology!

8uppleent technology!

• Are wi2ards abo)e or below the law 7 #.e., do they ha)e full rights as citi2ens, no

rights, or can they do as they li%e without regard to anyone else/s rights!• #s the relati)e power of a country or ruler usually easured by the si2e of the ary,

the nuber and ability of his wi2ards, or the aount of oney at his disposal!

• Can two or ore wi2ards cobine their power to cast a stronger spell, or is agic

done only by indi)iduals! What a%es a powerful agician!

• What do you need to do to cast a spell 7 design an elaborate ritual, recite poetry,

i1 the right ingredients in a pot! Are there things li%e a staff, a wand, a failiar, a

crystal ball, that are necessary to ha)e before casting spells! #f so, where and how do

new wi2ards get these things! *o they a%e the, buy the fro craftsen, inherit

the fro their teachers, or order the fro Wi2ardry 8upplies, #nc.!

•

Where does agic power coe fro: the gods, the &ana( of the world, the personalwillpower of the agician! #s agic an e1haustible resource! #f a agician ust

feed his spells with his own willpower, life$force, or sanity, what long$ter effects

will this ha)e on the health and+or stability of the agician! *o different

races+species ha)e different sources for their agic, or does e)erybody use the sae

one!

• "ow does a agician tap his+her agic power! *oes becoing a agician re5uire

soe rite of passage in)esting one/s power in an obect, being chosen by the gods,

constructing or being gi)en a peranent lin% to the source of power0 or does it ust

happen naturally as part of growing up, li%e puberty!

• *oes a agician/s agical ability or power change o)er tie 7 e.g., growing

stronger or wea%er during puberty, or with increasing age! Can a agician &use up(all of his+her agic, thus ceasing to be a agician! #f this happens, what does the e1$

agician do 7 die, retire, ta%e up teaching, go into a second career, start a freelance



consulting business!

• #s a agician/s lifetie norally longer or shorter than a)erage! Why! *oes this

)ary for different races+species! Are there races+species all of whose ebers are

agicians!

• Are there fashions+fads in agic 7 are herbal spells &in( this year and ritual spells

&out,( or )ice )ersa!

• Are certain spells as opposed to agic generally0 illegal! Why 7 because of theeffect of the spell, or because of the ingredients or procedures needed to cast it, or

what! #f so, how would a criinal agician be detected! Apprehended! Punished! #s

catching and punishing illegal agicians the responsibility of the agician/s guild,

or do the ordinary courts ha)e to handle it!

• ;agic and Technology

• Are there agical eans of transportation teleport spells, agic carpets, dragon$

riding0! "ow do they copare in speed, safety and e1pense to non$agical eans!

Are there any drawbac%s to agical tra)el for e1aple, teleport sic%ness0! "ow

coonly are they used, and for what purposes industrial shipping )s. tra)el for

fun0!

• Are there agical eans of rapid counication! "ow coonly are they used!

For what purposes!

• Are agical weapons a)ailable! Can agic be used in warfare! #n what ways! Are

spells fast enough to be useful in hand$to$hand cobat, or is agic ore of a siege

weapon, used only for long, slow things!

• "ow has the presence of agic affected weapons technology! Can agic a%e

weapons ore effecti)e! *o you ha)e to do anything special to walls, aror, or

weapons to a%e the better able to resist eney spells!

• "ow has the presence of agic affected weapons technology! Can an ordinary, non$

weapon$type obect be enchanted to a%e it e1treely lethal the Frying Pan of

*eath0 or will this wor% properly only on things that are already weapons! Canordinary obects be enchanted to a%e the or their user0 supreely good at

soething the Frying Pan of <ltiate 3ouret Coo%ing, the Cob of o Bad "air

*ays ')er0! "ow coon and useful are such enchantents!

• To what degree does the presence of agic, agical obects, and wi2ards replace

technology for e1aple, a chest that is enchanted to %eep its contents cold could

replace the refrigerator0! *uplicate technology! 8uppleent technology!

• Can spells and+or agical ites be ass$produced! Are there agic carpet factories

and bouti5ues selling agic rings!

• Can spells and+or agical ites be used to increase the efficiency of anufacturing

or ass production! *o businesses %eep a wi2ard on retainer, as odern businessesight %eep a lawyer or efficiency e1pert! What, e1actly, are they paying for!

• ;iscellaneous ;agic Questions

• Are the laws of nature and physics actually different in this world to accoodate

agic0, or are they the sae as in real life! "ow does agic fit in! "ow do agical

beasts fit in!

• #f there are iaginary anials dragons, unicorns, etc.0, how do they fit into the

ecology! What do they eat! "ow uch habitat do they re5uire! Are they intelligent

and+or capable of wor%ing spells, tal%ing, etc.!

• Where did ci)ili2ation begin! What directions did it spread! "ow was its

de)elopent affected by the presence of agic! The presence of non$huan races, if

any! The direct or indirect action of the gods!• #n what ways can agic or spells be abused! "ow often does this happen!

• Which peoples+races+cultures are considered the ost ci)ili2ed! Which are ost



technologically ad)anced! Which are ost agically ad)anced! -east ad)anced!

• #s agic legal! All agic, or only soe types! *o laws )ary widely fro country to

country, or is the attitude generally siilar!

• What wild anials, actual or iaginary, li)e in this area! Are any of the potentially

useful 7 e.g., for fur, whale oil, hides, agical ingredients, hat feathers!

• Are there agical beasts, li%e dragons and unicorns! #f so, which ones! "ow any!

Are they coon, or are soe endangered species! "a)e any been doesticated!• Are there agical artifacts rings, swords, etc.0! #f so, who a%es the and how!

Are the spells peranent, or do they wear off after a while!

• Where is scientific and+or agical research done 7 uni)ersities, pri)ate labs, under

the auspices of the ruler+go)ernent, etc.!

• 3i)en the agical+technological le)el of this society, what is an appropriate ration of

farers or food producers to urban residents! #f far production is based on agic,

how any urban residents are going to star)e if the spells supporting faring

weather, land fertility, etc.0 fail suddenly!

• What are the aor political factions at present! "ow long ha)e they been around!

Which factions are allies, which eneies! Are there any potential new forces on the political scene e.g., a rising iddle class, a uni)ersity gaining une1pected power

because of certain agical disco)eries, etc.0

• Are agicians a force in politics, or are they abo)e it! Are there national politics that




• "ow uch has the presence of agic affected strategy and tactics in general! #s

agic used priarily for intelligence gathering spells of in)isibility, scrying, etc.0,

or are there spells that are of use on the battlefield suoning a deon to attac% the

eney, casting fire stors at the, etc.0! #f battlefield agic is possible, how can it

be defended against!• #s healing generally a agical process! #f so, how does the agical healing talent

wor%! *oes a agical healer ha)e to consciously direct the healing process eaning

that lots of %nowledge of anatoy, etc., would be re5uired0, or does agical healing

siply speed up the noral, unconscious healing process in the patient! #s there

ore than one %ind of agical healer as there are surgeons, eye doctors, etc.0! Are

there both agical and non$agical healers, and if so, are they ri)als or siply

different specialties!

• What le)el is edicine at! Who are the healers! *o you ha)e to ha)e a talent to heal,

or ust training! Who trains healers, herbalists, apothecaries, surgeons, agical )s.

nonagical healers, etc.!

• #s forensic agic possible! Coonly used! <sed only for certain types of cries

and if so, what0! Are the results of forensic spells adissible in court as e)idence! #s

it soething any wi2ard can do, or do you ha)e to speciali2e!

• Are there separate ci)il and criinal courts! "uan and non$huan courts! #s there

a separate court or procedure for agical cries! What is different about each type

of court! Are udges or other court officials re5uired+forbidden to %now agic! #s

e)idence obtained by agic acceptable in court! #s e)idence obtained by agic

considered ore reliable or less reliable than physical e)idence or eyewitness

accounts!

• Can agic be used in the arts, and if so, how 7 paint that glows, pictures that o)e,

flutes that play thesel)es, etc.! "ow do &noral( artists feel about this! #s there aseparate branch of purely agical art, such as illusion!



3eneral

• *o a)erage people belie)e old tales, or do they disiss soe that ha)e a basis in fact

e.g., Troy0!

• *o wild and rebellious young people dress any differently fro anyone else! Are

they allowed to!

• "ow do ost people a%e a li)ing here!

• Custos

• *oes the weather or cliate contribute any habits or custos, such as the id$

afternoon siesta in hot countries!

• What is considered a noral faily unit! "ow e1tended is an e1tended faily! "ow

iportant are faily connections and responsibilities!

• What are the rites of passage in this culture! Are they forali2ed rituals, such as

being dubbed a %night, or are they inforal! Are they different for en and woen!

For nobility and peasants!

• What custos surround a birth and the introduction of a new child to the faily! #s

the other se5uestered for soe period! #s the child! #s there a foral presentationof the new child to parents, grandparents, o)erlord, priest! #s a feast and celebration

declared, or does e)eryone %eep a low profile to %eep fro attracting deons or bad

luc%!

• Who is norally present for births! #s it strictly a atter for woen, or are en

in)ol)ed, or is the only woan present the e1pectant other!

• Who raises the children! At what age do they begin to be educated or trained! By

who! Are they considered ini$adults! *o they dress differently fro adults! #f so,

when do they change to adult dress!

• What custos surround death and burial! #s there a special class of people doctors,

priests, funeral directors, untouchables0 who deal with dead bodies! What thingsust be done and why burn hair to free spirit, burn body to pre)ent necroancy,

coins on eyes for ferryan, etc.0! Are the dead feared, re)ered, or ignored!

• What personal weapons are a)ailable to anyone who can afford the! Are soe

considered &for nobles only( either by custo or by law! Are there laws forbidding

certain classes fro being ared at all!

• 'ating

• *o en and woen, parents and children, ser)ants and aster, eat separately, or

does e)eryone eat together! "ow is status displayed at the table seating abo)e or

below the salt, near or far fro the head, etc.0!

• What dishes are considered holiday food! What foods+drin%s are associated with

particular holidays, e)ents e.g., funerals, weddings0 or ties of the year!

• What distinguishes a foral, high$court dinner fro an ordinary eal, besides

5uantity and )ariety of food! "ow do high$court anners differ fro e)eryday ones!

• What eating utensils are used, if any! For%s, eating %nife, spoons, chopstic%s!

• What is the order of a typical upper$class eal 7 do they start with wine, then a

sweet, then a stew, then a salad, or do they bring e)erything in at once!

• Are special arrangeents necessary for entertaining guests of different races+species

7 taller chairs for dwar)es, raw eat for werewol)es, perches for harpies, etc.! "ow

do the eating custos of different races reflect their cultures and biology! "ow

difficult does this a%e social interaction aong the races!

•#s sanitation good enough for untreated water to be safe to drin%! #f not, what do

people drin% instead!

• What shapes are tables+eating areas round, oblong, s5uare, rectangular, etc.0! Where



is the &place of honor( for a guest! Where do the iportant ebers of the

household sit+recline+whate)er!

• What things, while edible, are ne)er eaten what/s not %osher0! Why! Are soe

coon huan foods poisonous to dwar)es or el)es or )ice )ersa0!

• What types of food or seasoning are characteristic of different races! *ifferent

cultures! *ifferent countries!

• 3reeting and ;eeting• When eeting soeone, how are they greeted 7 wa)e, handsha%e, bow, soe other

gesture! "ow did the greeting gesture originate e1aple: sha%ing hands to pro)e

one/s weapon hand was epty0! #s there a special #$a$not$ared gesture for

wi2ards!

• #s there a difference between the greeting offered to an e5ual and that offered to a

superior or inferior! #s there a difference between the greeting offered a an or a

woan! "uan+non$huan!

• #s there a way of changing a greeting gesture to a%e it insulting!

• "ow are two people who ha)e ne)er et norally introduced to each other! What is

the order of precedence when there are se)eral people of differing se1 or social status present, all of who need to be introduced to each other!

• Are there classes of people+beings who are ne)er introduced to other classes of

people+beings! Are &true naes( significant, and if so, under what circustances

would soeone be gi)en another person+being/s true nae!

• Are there custos in)ol)ing the way in which soeone is naed when being

introduced for e1aple: gi)ing all of a person/s naes and titles at the first eeting,

but ne)er repeating the afterward, so that he/s always referred to as &3eorge( e)en

though he/s introduced as the *u%e 3eorge 'dward Canterbury 3orden de la 8uis$

Foule, ;ar5uis of "orsha, Whitewater and Fraingha, 'arl of 8t. Peter/s Close,

and =icount of Abernathy0!

• #s there any difference in the way you greet soeone you already %now, copared togreeting a stranger or does e)erybody ust always hug or sha%e hands or whate)er0!

"ow does soeone ac%nowledge seeing an ac5uaintance at a distance passing on

the other side of the street0 7 by a nod, tipping the hat, wa)e, sile, or not at all!

• 3estures

• When eeting soeone, how are they greeted 7 wa)e, handsha%e, bow, soe other

gesture! "ow did the greeting gesture originate e1aple: sha%ing hands to pro)e

one/s weapon hand was epty0!

• Are gestures and body language in this society generally subtle or not! *o people

tal% with their hands, or is that considered )ulgar!

•

#s there a way of changing a greeting gesture to a%e it insulting!• What is a cofortable and polite spea%ing distance for people in this culture! 4ther

cultures+countries+races! "ow aware are people of these differences!

• What gestures are insulting! What do they ean! *o soe gestures differ in

eaning depending on the culture, race, or tie e1aple: the Aerican &=($for$

)ictory sign, which becae the peace sign, and which is+was highly insulting in

'urope0!

• "ow do gestures and body language differ between countries! Between species! Are

there things that don/t atter in one area that are ortal insults in another eating

with the left hand, etc.0!

• What are the ways of showing respect bowing, saluting, etc.0! To who is one

e1pected to show such respect 7 one/s elders, superiors in ran%, teachers, priests,etc.!

• =isits



• Are there 5uestions that ust be as%ed or a)oided how/s the faily, how/s the

business, ne)er tal% politics or religion, etc.0! Are there topics that can only be raised

by the host! The guest!

• "ow seriously does the culture ta%e the responsibilities of host and guest! What rules

define when soeone becoes a host or guest e.g., in id$eastern countries, gi)ing

bread and salt to soeone a%es the person your guest9 gi)ing a >$course eal

without bread or salt doesn/t0!• What things are considered courteous to offer a guest: food, reading aterial,

personal guards or attendants, usic+entertainent, a person of the opposite se1 to

sleep with!

• What is considered a courteous response to a host/s offer! Are there things it is

considered rude to accept! 6ude to turn down! 6ude to as% for! 6ude not to as% for!

• When a guest arri)es, is food or drin% offered iediately, after an inter)al, or only

on re5uest! #s there a particular food or drin% that is custoary to offer a newly

arri)ed guest!

• "ow do different eating custos of the )arious cultures and races interact and

conflict! '1aple: a person fro a culture that considers it ipolite to refuse anoffer of food being the guest of soeone whose culture considers it ipolite to stop

offering food until the guest says &when.(

• -anguage

• #s there a &trade language( that facilitates coerce between countries that don/t



• Are soe or all people bilingual! #s there a coon second language any people

%now!

• Are there &secret( languages or codes %nown only by priests, soldiers, wi2ards, guild

ebers, etc.! Why were they de)eloped!

• What are the )ariations in speech patterns, synta1, and slang fro one social class toanother! 4ne occupation to another! 4ne region to another! 4ne race to another!

• What areas do local slang phrases coe out of! '1aple: in a fishing town,

referring to good luc% as &a good catch,( while people in a faring town refer to it as

&an une1pected har)est(.0 What %inds of colorful turns of phrase do people use!

• What things in this culture would their language ha)e any specific words for e.g.,

#nuit languages that ha)e ?@ words for different %inds of snow0! What do the

people in this culture consider iportant enough to nae! What does this say about

the way they loo% at the world!

• What things would the people of this culture not ha)e a nae for, or ha)e one word

that co)ers nuerous )ariations! What do they consider too uniportant to nae!"ow does this affect the way they see the world!

• Are there words that ust ne)er be spo%en e1cept at particular ties, in cereonies,

or under particular circustances! Are there words that ust not be spo%en in polite

copany! *o these words differ fro culture to culture or race to race!

• What will people swear a binding oath by! What do people use as curse words!

• "ow any languages are there! Which ones are related e.g., the 6oance

languages0 and why! Which languages borrow words or phrases fro other

languages! Which is li%ely to be ost widely spo%en!

• Are there different languages for different races dwar)es, el)es, etc.0, or is language

based ore on geography than race+species! #s there a special language you need to

learn in order to tal% to dragons or other agical beasts!






• 'thics and =alues

• What will people swear a binding oath by! What do people use as curse words!

• What is the ost desired+ost )aluable stuff in this society 7 gold, ewels, drugs,

oney, furs, reindeer, etc.! Why is it desired+)alued! *o different races )alue

different things! #s there a race+culture for who non$aterial things inforation,

tie0 are the ost )aluable things! "ow did they get that way!• What things are considered noral and acceptable in this society that would not be

considered noral or acceptable in yours! '1aples: dueling, drugs, open

hoose1uality, polygay, infanticide.0

• What things are considered shoc%ing in this society that are not considered shoc%ing

in yours 7 e.g., showing a woan/s an%les, eating left$handed, reading in public!

What would be the reaction of an ordinary person who sees soeone doing one of

these things 7 to turn away, call the cops, draw a sword and challenge the offender

to a duel, etc.!

• What are the acceptable liits to honor and+or honesty in this society! Are &white

lies( acceptable socially, or is lying in any for considered beyond the pall! #sthie)ery an accepted, if disreputable, occupation, or is it a crie!

• #s a binding oath unbrea%able no atter what, or can you get out of it if the other

party turns out to be e)il scu or if you weren/t fully infored! What is considered

the right thing to do if two oaths coe into conflict 7 do you ha)e to decide as best

you can, hold to the ost recent oath, hold to the oath to the ost+least powerful

person, coit suicide!

• What are attitudes toward ownership! What constitutes &theft( and what can be

stolen 7 ges, gold, soeone/s good nae or reputation! Are thie)es independent

criinals, ebers of an illegal guild, business people licensed by law, or what!

• Who is considered a citi2en, with the rights and pri)ileges thereof! What are those

rights and pri)ileges )oting, protection fro thie)es, the right to a hearing in 6oe0and what responsibilities go along with the ury duty, pro)iding funds or %nights

for the lord/s ary!

• Are there certain classes of people wi2ards, foreigners, children, peasants, woen0

who ha)e fewer legal rights or less recourse than full citi2ens! Why! Are they

considered entally or orally deficient, a danger to the state, or is there soe other

rationale!

• #s there a group of people who do not ha)e full rights in this culture! Why not! Are

they considered entally or orally deficient, a danger to the state, or is there soe

other rational!

•

What are the contro)ersial subects in this culture! What things can you start afriendly arguent about in any bar! What things will autoatically start an

unfriendly arguent!

• What are the social taboos 7 what things are &not done,( li%e wearing a bathing suit

to the office! What things are not tal%ed about! What would happen if soeone did!

"ow do these taboos )ary aong the different races!

• What are the biggest social fau1 pas 7 burping loudly at a foral ban5uet, drawing

steel in the presence of a 5ueen+noble, as%ing a dwarf whether it/s ale or feale!

What subects or actions cause ebarrassent or discofort!

• What are the society/s ores regarding courtship, arriage and faily! #s arriage

priarily a ci)il or a religious institution!

• Who are the persons or groups to which one autoatically has a duty siply by being born 7 one/s faily, one/s town+city, one/s country, one/s ruler+president, the

gods! What is the hierarchy of duty aong the 7 is it considered ore noble to



follow your other/s teaching or to follow your eperor/s orders!

• What are the standards of beauty for people! Paintings and sculpture! Clothes and

furniture! "ow do they differ fro the standards in your culture e1aple: a country

which considers fatness a highly desirable beauty trait0! "ow do standard of beauty

reflect the physical traits of the )arious races e1aples: dwar)es ight consider

e1cessi)e height unattracti)e9 werewol)es ight be attracted by long teeth or a

particular scent0!• Who are this culture/s historic heroes and )illains e.g., Washington and -incoln in

the <.8.9 "enry = in 'ngland, etc.0! Why are they adired as heroes+)illains and

what does this say about the people who adire the!

• What is the ideal life that people aspire to! *o people ostly want to retire to a little

house in the country, buy the ost &toys,( ser)e in the ary+na)y!

• What %inds of people are the rebels and outcasts of this society! "ow does society

deal with the! What actions or ideas will get you ade an official outcast+e1ile!

What happens to people who don/t fit the accepted social order 7 do they ha)e their

own sections of town, or are they in)isible &in the closet(0, or do they get %ic%ed out

of the country altogether!

• Who are the arbiters of ethics as opposed to law0! "ow did they get to be arbiters!

Who are the social arbiters! *itto, ditto.

• Which ethical+oral decisions are considered the pro)ince of religion, and which are

not!

• 6eligion and the 3ods

• "ow do )arious religions, if any, )iew agic! *o any forbid it! Why or why not! *o

any re5uire priests+priestesses to be agicians! *o any forbid it!

• Are there actual gods+godli%e beings! #f so, do they ta%e an acti)e role in a0 the

teples, churches, and religions that worship the, or b0 the li)es of e)eryday

people! Why or why not! "ow any gods are there, and is there a hierarchy aong

the! Which ones are good or e)il, or is this eaningless when spea%ing of gods!• "ow do )arious religions )iew non$belie)ers! Foreigners! on$huans! Which

support the state+ruler+go)ernent, and which are interested ainly in ordinary

people!

• What custos surround a birth and the introduction of a new child to the faily! #s

the other se5uestered for soe period! #s the child! #s there a foral presentation

of the new child to parents, grandparents, o)erlord, priest, the gods! #s a feast and

celebration declared, or does e)eryone %eep a low profile to %eep fro attracting

deons or bad luc%!




• #s there a difference between iracles and agic! #f so, how are they distinguished!

• #s there tension, ri)alry, or outright hostility between any of the actual gods! "ow

does this affect church politics! People/s e)eryday li)es!

• Where does religion fit into this society! #s there a state church! #s freedo of

religion the nor! *o people generally thin% of the teples+churches as parasites or

as a useful part of society!

• Which ethical+oral decisions are considered the pro)ince of religion, and which are

not! *o the gods care how people beha)e! Why or why not!

• #f there are actual, deonstrable gods, what part does faith play in their worship!What are their )arious rites li%e, and why! What offerings are considered good,

better, best! Are people supposed to pic% one or ore gods to worship and ignore the



others, or does e)erybody officially worship e)eryone! "ow do people decide who

to worship! "ow do they decide which teple to be affiliated with!

• "ow uch of a part do )arious religions and philosophies play in public and pri)ate

life! Are philosophers and theologians considered i)ory$tower acadeics, or do they

debate in the ar%etplace, li%e 8ocrates! "ow uch influence do their theories ha)e

on the way people actually beha)e!

• Are priests and philosophers full$tie wor%ers, or do they need day obs! #f they arefull$tie, who supports the 7 the congregation, a wealthy patron, the teple/s

in)estent fund, the god they ser)e!

• Why are the gods interested in people! Are they li%e the 3ree% pantheon

5uarrelsoe, larger$than$life huans0, or are they transcendent and

incoprehensible! *o the gods ha)e liits to what they can do! To what they will

do! Can the gods a%e ista%es!

• "ow do the )arious teples and philosophies e1plain the classic &proble of e)il(!

*o they thin% bad things are always a ust punishent for soe transgression, a

character$building e1ercise, the result of an e)il antagonist 8atan, -o%i0 or ust

soething the gods can/t pre)ent!

• Population



people!

• "ow di)erse is the population of this country 7 how any different races huan or

non$huan0, creeds, etc. norally li)e in )arious cities and towns in this country! #n

what percentages!


Why 7 in)asion, plague, gold rush, ob opportunities, etc.! What effects has this had

on the places being left! The places gaining people!

• 3i)en the agical+technological le)el of this society, what is an appropriate ration offarers or food producers to urban residents! #f far production is based on agic,

how any urban residents are going to star)e if the spells supporting faring


• #s there uch iigration into or out of )arious countries! Why! To or fro what

other areas!

• Which geographical areas are ost hea)ily populated! -east! Are certain areas or

terrains ore popular with certain races that with others! Why

3eneral

• Where is scientific and+or agical research done 7 uni)ersities, pri)ate labs, under


• *oes it re5uire a license to be a wi2ard! #f so, is it ore li%e a dri)er/s license

soething nearly e)eryone in our culture gets upon coing of age0 or li%e a doctor/s

license soething only a sall percentage of the population will e)er get0! Who

certifies wi2ards: go)ernent, wi2ard/s guild+A;A, local priests!

• What are the )arious ran%s and titles and proper fors of address for the

aristocracy+nobility! #s e)erybody &y lord( and &y lady,( or are there ore

distinctions your grace, your highness, your aesty, your holiness0!

• What occupations are respected! -oo%ed down on! Why!

• "ow any le)els are there in this society: peasant, bourgeoisie, warrior, noble! "ow



difficult is it to rise or fall fro one social le)el to another! "ow fir are the

di)isions between social classes 7 is it disgraceful for a noble to engage in trade or

for a warrior to help with the har)est!

• "ow difficult is it to rise or fall fro one social le)el to another! "ow uch social

obility is there! "ow uch do people thin% there is!


furniture! "ow do they differ fro the standards in your culture e1aple: a countrywhich considers fatness a highly desirable beauty trait0! "ow do standard of beauty

reflect the physical traits of the )arious races e1aples: dwar)es ight consider

e1cessi)e height unattracti)e9 werewol)es ight be attracted by long teeth or a

particular scent0!

• 3o)ernent

• "ow has the presence of agic and agicians affected law and go)ernent! Are

wi2ards barred fro certain %inds of go)ernent obs or offices! *o soe

go)ernent obs re5uire that their holder be a wi2ard!

• What is the basic style of go)ernent: feudal, aristocratic, oligarchy, absolute ruler,

deocracy, what! What fors are used in neighboring countries, and why are they

the sae or different!

• What ser)ices does the go)ernent or head of state pro)ide: schools, wells, courts,

an ary to protect people fro the =i%ings! What ser)ices are pro)ided locally or

pri)ately!

• Who has the right to le)y ta1es! For what! 4n what or who! Can ta1es be paid in

%ind, or do certain things re5uire oney!

• Who pro)ides support ser)ices for the head of state! What are they called: ing/s

Counselors, Cabinet ;inisters, 8ecretary of 8tate, 3ood 4l/ 3irls! Are they

hereditary offices, ci)il ser)ants, appointees, ilitary, elected!

• #s the relati)e power of a country or ruler usually easured by the si2e of its ary,

the nuber and ability of its wi2ards, or the aount of oney+trade flowing throughit!

• Who is considered a citi2en, with the rights and pri)ileges thereof! What are those

rights and pri)ileges )oting, protection fro thie)es, the right to a hearing in 6oe0

and what responsibilities go along with the ury duty, pro)iding funds or %nights

for the lord/s ary!

• Are there certain classes of people wi2ards, foreigners, children, peasants, woen0

who ha)e fewer legal rights or less recourse than full citi2ens! Why! Are they

considered entally or orally deficient, a danger to the state, or is there soe other

rationale!

•

What are the easiest+ost coon ways to ad)ance in status 7 aass ore oney,arry well, get the ruler/s eye, etc.! "ow uch resistance is there to soeone

ad)ancing in social status!

• Who will ta%e o)er running the go)ernent if the current head of state is

incapacitated! "ow is this deterined! #s there an heir apparent either actual or

political0! What happens if the heir is a inor! Who gi)es orders! "ow are they

pic%ed!

• Who is responsible for protecting the head of state! "is personal guard, the 8ecret

8er)ice, an elite group affiliated with the regular ilitary! What safeguards ha)e

they got against assassins, poisoning, direct assault, agical attac%!

• Who can gi)e orders to ilitary, to ta1 collectors, to ser)ants, to ordinary fol%s on

the street0! "ow are such people chosen!• Who is responsible for coinage: the ruler, local barons, soeone else erchant

guilds0! Are there generally acceptable standards! "ow easy+coon is



counterfeiting!

• #s there an organi2ed syste of education! #f so, who pro)ides it: go)ernent,

churches, pri)ate persons! "ow is it supported!

• Who can call up en for an ary, and how! *oes the ruler as% the nobility for en,

who in turn draft their peasants, or can the ruler go straight to the botto!

• "ow uch foral spying and intelligence gathering is norally done by

go)ernents! The ilitary! ;erchant guilds and wealthy tradesen! Are thereactual organi2ations, or is spying done by diploats and+or freelance agents! "ow

effecti)e is it currently!

• *o relations between countries depend ainly on the relations between the heads of

state, or can two rulers hate each other/s guts without being able to ust declare war

and drag their countries into it!

• Are there ties when people are e1pected to fast, or feast e.g., before solstice, after

the birth of a child, during -ent or 6aadan, after the death of a ruler, etc.0! Are

there occasions when the ruler is e1pected to pro)ide a celebration or spectacle for

the people to enoy, e.g., the 6oan gladiatorial gaes0!

•

Politics• #s agic a profession, an art, or ust a ob! What is the status accorded to agicians

in this society! Are they forbidden o)ert political action, or are wi2ards and the

wi2ard/s guild %nee$deep in court intrigue!

• Are agicians a force in politics, or are they abo)e it! Are there national politics that




• #s there tension, ri)alry, or outright hostility between any of the actual gods! "ow

does this affect church politics! People/s e)eryday li)es!

• *oes the le)el of technological ad)anceent atch the le)el of social and political

ad)anceent!• #s the relati)e power of a country or ruler usually easured by the si2e of its ary,

the nuber and ability of its wi2ards, or the aount of oney+trade flowing through

it!

• What are the easiest+ost coon ways to ad)ance in status 7 aass ore oney,

arry well, get the ruler/s eye, etc.! "ow uch resistance is there to soeone

ad)ancing in social status!

• What are the aor political factions at present! "ow long ha)e they been around!

Which factions are allies, which eneies! Are there any potential new forces on the

political scene e.g., a rising iddle class, a uni)ersity gaining une1pected power

because of certain agical disco)eries, etc.0• What are the contro)ersial political issues of this day+tie+country! What positions

on these issues are considered conser)ati)e! -iberal! <nthin%able!

• "ow uch influence do &special interest groups( such as erchants, wi2ards, or

)arious religions, ha)e on court politics! "ow do they e1ercise their influence 7

indirectly by tal%ing nobility or council ebers into ta%ing their sides0 or directly

by bribery, coercion, ha)ing their own representati)es on the council0!

• Are there any sha%y political alliances between disparate groups! Why were they

fored! "ow long is it li%ely to be before they fall apart! When they do, what will

the effects be!

• What ancient ri)alries and hatreds still affect current attitudes and political positions

e1aples: 8cottish and Welsh separatist groups9 Catholics )s. Protestants )s.;uslis9 dwar)es )s. el)es9 "atfields )s. ;cCoys0!

• What %inds of people are li%ely to face preudice: dwar)es, werewol)es, erchants,



woen, underta%ers! #s this institutionali2ed i.e., a atter of law0 or is it ostly a

atter of public attitude! #s the ruler powerful enough to defy this preudice and

appoint a dwarf as Chief Councilor or 8ecretary of *efense and a%e it wor%!

• Who will ta%e o)er running the go)ernent if the current head of state is

incapacitated! "ow is this deterined! #s there an heir apparent either actual or

political0! What happens if the heir is a inor!

• Are there people who ha)e great influence on go)ernent+politics, but who do nothold any official position! Who are they! Why do they ha)e influence! #s this

considered a noral thing, or a bad thing!

• Crie and the -egal 8yste

• "ow has the presence of agic and agicians affected law and go)ernent! Are

wi2ards barred fro certain %inds of go)ernent obs or offices udge, ury, police0!

*o soe go)ernent obs re5uire that their holder be a wi2ard!

• What are considered noral and legal ways of gathering e)idence and deterining

guilt! #s torture allowed! Are arbitrary udgents by the lord or landowner allowed,

or is there an independent standard of ustice!

•

What personal weapons are a)ailable to anyone who can afford the! Are soeconsidered &for nobles only( either by custo or by law! Are there laws forbidding

certain classes fro being ared at all! Are there laws re5uiring certain classes to

learn particular weapon s%ills, as 'ngland for soe centuries re5uired yeoen to be

proficient with the longbow!

• #s forensic agic possible! Coonly used! <sed only for certain types of cries

and if so, what0! Are the results of forensic spells adissible in court as e)idence! #s

it soething any wi2ard can do, or do you ha)e to speciali2e!

• Are certain spells as opposed to agic generally0 illegal! Why 7 because of the

effect of the spell, or because of the ingredients or procedures needed to cast it, or

what! #f so, how would a criinal agician be detected! Apprehended! Punished! #s

catching and punishing illegal agicians the responsibility of the agician/s guild,or do the ordinary courts ha)e to handle it!

• Are there separate ci)il and criinal courts! "uan and non$huan courts! #s there

a separate court or procedure for agical cries! What is different about each type

of court! Are udges or other court officials re5uired+forbidden to %now agic! #s

e)idence obtained by agic acceptable in court! #s e)idence obtained by agic

considered ore reliable or less reliable than physical e)idence or eyewitness

accounts!

• What things are considered truly serious cries and why! '.g., in a trade$oriented

culture, counterfeiting ight be a death$penalty crie, while in a place where life is

cheap, urder ight be soething you pay a sall fine for.0

• What are the noral punishents for serious )s. inor cries! Are there prisons, or

are people punished and released! Are there degrees of punishent 7 branding )s.

cutting off ears )s. cutting off a hand )s. decapitation 7 or do they ust hang

e)erybody!

• Who is responsible for catching criinals! Who pays the croo%$catchers 7 the ruler,

the city go)ernent, a consortiu of erchants, soebody else! "ow are they

organi2ed 7 into independent police precincts, or into o)erlapping districts, or ust

according to whoe)er wants to hire the! Are they full$tie, part$tie, or

)olunteers! Pri)ate or public! What sort of facilities do they ha)e! What ars are the

allowed to carry!

•Are there lawyers or ad)ocates! Who can afford the! Who trains+certifies the!

• Are people guilty until pro)en innocent, innocent until pro)en guilty, or does it

depend on the ood the lord is in when they bring the case before hi!



• Are there udges other than the ruler, lord, or landowner! #f so, how are they chosen,

how are they paid, and who pays the! Are appeals possible, and if so, to who!

"ow often are outlying areas li%ely to see a udge! #s &ob ustice( coon or

uncoon! Appro)ed of or disappro)ed of!

• Are there suptuary laws regulating what different classes+races ay wear! *o

udges and lawyers wear special clothes robes, wigs0 to indicate their calling!

• Are wi2ards abo)e or below the law 7 i.e., do they ha)e full rights as citi2ens, norights, or can they do as they li%e without regard to anyone else/s rights!

• Are highwayen, uggers, and pirates coon or rare! What sorts of cries is the

a)erage citi2en li%ely to run across during his+her lifetie!

• Who can a%e or repeal laws 7 a group an elected 8enate, an appointed Council,

or an hereditary "ouse of -ords0, or only the ruler or head of state! "ow uch can

the nobility, iddle class tradesen, etc. influence the laws that are ade!

• "ow are alleged criinals treated before and after their con)ictions! *o the

police+ilitary+city guard a%e a practice of roughing up suspects, or is this frowned

upon!

•

Foreign 6elations• *oes this country ha)e foral relationships with other countries! #f so, who can be

an abassador! Are there standing ebassies and consulates, or are special en)oys

sent only when soething coes up!

• "ow are treaties arranged! Are there any significant ones currently in force or

coing up for signing!

• "ow uch do official attitudes toward other countries affect coerce and trade!

*o erchants pretty uch ignore tensions between go)ernent as long as they can

a%e a profit, or will this get the into trouble! Are there Custos inspectors or

their e5ui)alents at border crossings! #s the e1port+iport of soe

technologies+agics+coodities regulated by the go)ernent, or by non$

go)ernental cartels! "ow does this affect political relationships between countries!• "ow uch foral spying and intelligence gathering is norally done by

go)ernents! The ilitary! ;erchant guilds and wealthy tradesen! Are there

actual organi2ations, or is spying done by diploats and+or freelance agents! "ow

effecti)e is it currently!

• Which countries+races are traditional allies! Which are traditional ri)als! "ow do

these traditions affect present$day relations between countries and races!

• Which heads of state are related by blood or arriage, and how iportant is this in

deterining foreign policy!

• Waging War

•Which peoples+countries+races ha)e been in conflict in the recent past! Why! Whenand why was the ost recent war! Who won! Who is still ad about that!

• What aor weapons of war are a)ailable e.g., siege towers, catapults, cannon, A$

bobs0!

• "ow uch has the presence of agic affected strategy and tactics in general! *o

ary coanders ha)e unusual forations or techni5ues to deal with )arious

agical attac%s! "ow can agic be used as part of a battle plan, gi)en )arious le)els

of technology e1aple: getting a weather agician to a%e it rain so that eney

cannons will be harder to aneu)er in the ud0!

• #s agic used priarily for intelligence gathering spells of in)isibility, scrying, etc.0,


eney, casting fire stors at the, etc.0! #f battlefield agic is possible, how can it be defended against!

• "ow are aries usually structured! #s there a foral, independent coand



structure, or is e)erybody officially under the coand of whoe)er brought the to

oin the ruler/s ary, or what! #f there is a foral structure, what are the )arious

ran%s and titles used!

• #s weapon usage restricted according to social class, such as only %nights being

allowed to use sword and aror, yeoen using bows and staffs, peasants using

whate)er scythes, haers, etc. are a)ailable! Are there restrictions, either legal,

custoary, or biological, on the types of weapons different races or agical beingscan use e.g., el)es not being able to wield weapons ade of cold iron0!

• Are battlefield coissions or %nighthoods possible during wartie, or ust such

prootions wait on foral cereonies! *o noral social restrictions apply during

ties of war, or is e)eryone e5ual on the battlefield!

• Who can call up en for an ary, and how! *oes the ruler as% the nobility for en,

who in turn draft their peasants, or can the ruler go straight to the botto!

• Are there professional soldiers+ercenaries! #s a career in the ary possible, or

would you ha)e to becoe a ercenary or sell$sword in order to a%e a li)ing as a

soldier! *oes the ary accept )olunteers, or only draftees! Can you rise to officer

le)el by displaying courage and erit on the battlefield, or are officer positions

reser)ed for a particular type of person only 7 people who bought coissions,

people who graduated fro ilitary school, sons of faous warriors, etc.!

• "ow large is a typical ary! What percentage of the soldiers in it will be trained

%nights, professional soldiers, guards, ercenaries0 and what percentage will be

untrained recruits! Are recruits gi)en training, or are they e1pected to learn on the

ob i.e., in battle0!

• "ow is the ary supplied! Are soldiers allowed to li)e off the peasantry, or do they

pay for what they ta%e! What happens if the supply cara)an gets lost or captured!

"ow are supplies handled during long capaigns! "ow any days/ worth of

supplies can the ary haul along with the! 6ef. Ale1ander the 3reat and the

-ogistics of the ;acedonian Ary for the ath on how uch a horse can carry, howuch it needs to eat, etc.0

• What are the accepted con)entions of a%ing war e.g., only fight in winter when

nobody is busy with crops9 don/t a%e war on ci)ilians9 only certain %inds of

weapons are a)ailable, etc.0! *o they differ fro race to race!

• "ow does the presence of non$huans dwar)es, )apires, etc.0 affect strategy,

tactics, and battles generally! Are special weapons re5uired if an ary is facing

certain %inds of non$huan aries! "ow could non$huan soldiers turn their

physical differences fro huans to their ad)antage!

• Are particular non$huan races traditionally better with certain weapons e.g.,

dwar)es with a1es, el)es with bows0! Why 7 because they ha)e greater strength,

better eyesight, ore anual de1terity, etc.!

• *o relations between countries depend ainly on the relations between the heads of

state, or can two rulers hate each other/s guts without being able to ust declare war

and drag their countries into it!

• #f there/s a long$ter war in progress, how has the hoe front been affected! Are

people being drafted uch younger+older than they used to be! "a)e people been

forced to step into nontraditional roles 7 peasants anaging a business, woen

shoeing horses, children a%ing bullets, etc.! "ow ha)e these changes affected

society! "ow will they affect relationships between races+clans+se1es+social classes

when the war is o)er!

•#s the ary integrated i.e., en, woen, el)es, dwar)es, purple people, and greenones, all ser)ing together0! "ow does this affect battle forations! 8trategies! Are

certain races or groups isolated in particular units! #f so, are those units considered



elite troops or the ost e1pendable soldiers on the battlefield! "ow do these attitudes

affect strategy!

• "as science or agic been ad)anced in general by specific de)elopents in the

fields of weaponry, tactics, or strategy!

• Are there natural or iposed liitations prohibiting the de)elopent or use of

certain types of weapons e.g., only uscle$powered weapons because the &laws of

physics( in this world don/t allow the cobustion of gunpowder0!• To what degree has technology changed the face of war! Are there internal

cobustion engines useable for large troop o)eents, or stea powered ships!

• Weapons

• "ow do the weapons of this country copare with those of surrounding cities and

countries! "a)e there been recent inno)ations that ay upset the balance of power,

or is e)eryone ore or less e5ual!

• Are agical weapons a)ailable! Can agic be used in warfare! #n what ways! Are

spells fast enough to be useful in hand$to$hand cobat, or is agic ore of a siege

weapon, used only for long, slow things!

•

"ow has the presence of agic affected weapons technology! Can agic a%eweapons ore effecti)e! *o you ha)e to do anything special to walls, aror, or

weapons to a%e the better able to resist eney spells!

• "ow uch has the presence of agic affected strategy and tactics in general! #s

agic used priarily for intelligence gathering spells of in)isibility, scrying, etc.0,


eney, casting fire stors at the, etc.0! #f battlefield agic is possible, how can it

be defended against!

• "ow has the presence of agic affected weapons technology! Can an ordinary, non$

weapon$type obect be enchanted to a%e it e1treely lethal the Frying Pan of

*eath0 or will this wor% properly only on things that are already weapons! Can

ordinary obects be enchanted to a%e the or their user0 supreely good atsoething the Frying Pan of <ltiate 3ouret Coo%ing, the Cob of o Bad "air

*ays ')er0! "ow coon and useful are such enchantents!

• What personal weapons are a)ailable to anyone who can afford the! Are soe

considered &for nobles only( either by custo or by law! Are there laws forbidding

certain classes fro being ared at all!

• What is the le)el of weapons technology! Are there guns, and if so, how

sophisticated flintloc%, atchloc%, rifle, <2i0!

• What aor weapons of war are a)ailable e.g., siege towers, catapults, cannon, A$

bobs0!

•

What weapons and aror are standard for aries! ;ercenaries! obility! oura)erage peasant trying to defend his+her hoe!

• Are weapons, such as swords or pistols, a standard part of dress for any+all segents

of society!

• What are the accepted con)entions of a%ing war e.g., only fight in winter when

nobody is busy with crops9 don/t a%e war on ci)ilians9 only certain %inds of

weapons are a)ailable, etc.0!

3eneral

• Which peoples+countries+races fought, allied, traded, or were traditional ri)als!Where are there still hard feelings about old e)ents!

• #s there a &trade language( that facilitates coerce between countries that don/t





• What does this country iport! '1port! "ow iportant is trade to the econoy!

"ow is currency e1change handled, and by who!

• Why did people settle in this country in the first place 7 strategic location, trade

route, water transport, inerals, good faring, etc.!

• "a)e things changed uch since, or do they still depend on whate)er brought thein the first place!

• "ow uch do official attitudes toward other countries affect coerce and trade!

*o erchants pretty uch ignore tensions between go)ernent as long as they can

a%e a profit, or will this get the into trouble! Are there Custos inspectors or

their e5ui)alents at border crossings! #s the e1port+iport of soe

technologies+agics+coodities regulated by the go)ernent, or by non$

go)ernental cartels! "ow does this affect political relationships between countries!

• Business and #ndustry

• "ow is business organi2ed! Are there trade unions! 3uild structures! ;ulti$state

corporations! #nternational cartels!• Are people able to cross$craft, #.e., learn or perfor different trades! *oes cross$

crafting re5uire guild perission, a write fro an o)erlord, or is it autoatically

guaranteed by law! "ow strict are craft restrictions 7 are carpenters the only people

allowed to build houses!

• What types of trades would be represented in a sall town! A iddle$si2ed town! A

large city!

• #s currency and coinage standardi2ed, or is there a syste of e1change! What are

typical denoinations! What types of currency is a tra)eler or erchant li%ely to

carry on a trip! What are different coins called, and what are they worth!

• Are industrial processes e.g., sworda%ing, wea)ing, etc.0 considered &trade

secrets,( or are they coon %nowledge!• What is the process a young person goes through to enter a craft or trade! An

apprenticeship! Four years of college! Are the craft re5uireents for )arious s%ill

ran%s such as apprentice, ourneyan, aster, or ed student, intern, doctor,

specialist0 standardi2ed, or does ran% depend ore on the good fa)or of a aster

craftsan than it does on s%ill!

• *o different regions+cities speciali2e in specific crafts, processes, or products

e1aples: *aascus steel, Bordeau1 wines, Chinese sil%, Wisconsin cheese0! *o

different races speciali2e!

• What regulations, if any, has the go)ernent+ruler placed on business practices! Are

there antionopoly laws! Anti$pollution! Are there standardi2ed systes of weightsand easures, or does a erchant ha)e to specify &a -ondon bushel( of grain rather

than &a or% bushel(! "ow do differing systes affect shipping and trade!

• Are any new industries de)eloping! Which old ones do they copete with or a%e

obsolete!

• "ow are records %ept 7 tally stic%s, parchent, clay tablets, beads!

• #s there a erchant class! Where do they fit in society! Are there trading guilds! #f

so, how are they organi2ed! "ow uch power do they ha)e to control trade! "ow

uch infighting is there aong the!

• Are there trading organi2ations that transcend countries li%e the "anseatic -eague0!

"ow large a presence do they ha)e locally!

• #s this a oney$based econoy, or ostly barter!

• What goods are coonly a)ailable in sall town ar%ets! #n large towns! #n

cities! "ow do goods get to ar%et!



• What industries 7 ining, fishing, shipbuilding, luber, faring, anufacturing,

etc. 7 are iportant, and in which areas! Which depend on aterials fro other

areas as shipbuilding on wood, or wea)ing on wool0! What happens if supplies are

disrupted!

• Who is responsible for coinage: the ruler, local barons, soeone else erchant

guilds0! Are there generally acceptable standards! "ow easy+coon is

counterfeiting!• "ow uch suggling is there! 4f what, fro or to where!

• Transportation and Counication

• What are the coon doesticated anials used for transportation at )arious le)els

of society 7 e.g., o1en, horses, don%eys, caels, etc.!

• Are there agical eans of transportation teleport spells, agic carpets, dragon$

riding0! "ow do they copare in speed, safety and e1pense to non$agical eans!

Are there any drawbac%s to agical tra)el for e1aple, teleport sic%ness0! "ow

coonly are they used, and for what purposes industrial shipping )s. tra)el for

fun0!

•

For tra)eling short distances within a city, what are the alternati)es! Can people hirea cab, a litter, a ric%shaw, or do they ha)e to wal% or rely on their own ser)ants or

horses!

• "ow are essages sent when necessary! #s there a public+pri)ate postal syste, or

does e)eryone of iportance ha)e to send essengers! "ow fast can news get fro

A to B!

• "ow a)ailable is water transportation! "ow reliable! "ow dangerous! "ow

e1pensi)e!

• "ow coon is tra)el for any reason0! *oes the concept of tra)el &to see the

world( or for fun, e)en e1ist! "ow dangerous is tra)el! "ow large a group is

considered safe! "ow uch traffic is there inside and outside the ain cities! Which

areas are best+worst!• What is the fastest eans of tra)eling long distances o)er land! 4)er water! Which

ethods are safest!

• What is transportation li%e! Are there good roads! Who built the! Who is

responsible for aintaining the!

• Where would a tra)eler stay at night! Are there enough tra)elers to support inns, or

do people ha)e to stay at soe e5ui)alent of edie)al onasteries!

• Are soe classes of people sla)es, peasants0 not e1pected to tra)el at all! Are soe

heralds, essengers0 e1pected to tra)el constantly!

• "ow do people find out what is happening in the world 7 ruor, town crier,

newspapers, T= and radio! "ow slanted is the news they get this way, and in whatdirection! #s there freedo of the press! #f not, who controls+censors it and by what

eans!

• "ow are boo%s produced! Are they coon has the printing press been in)ented0 or

are they rare, )aluable, e1pensi)e, hand$written obects! #f the latter, who has the

tie and s%ill to produce the!

• Where are the great libraries or collections of boo%s+scrolls+anuscripts! "ow

accessible are they to scholars, wi2ards, the general public! Who supports the!

• 8cience and Technology

• #s the le)el of technology in this society coparable to that of ancient 6oe, the

;iddle Ages, the 6enaissance, the #ndustrial 6e)olution, what!

• What iportant in)entions or ad)ances ha)e been ade the wheel, gunpowder,

printing, flush toilets0! "a)e any of the reached the point of affecting the daily life

of the a)erage person, or are flush toilets a lu1ury for the nobility only!



• What in)entions or ad)ances ha)e not been ade that you would norally e1pect to

see at this stage of technological de)elopent! Which ones are about to be ade!

• "ow uch is %nown about the laws of nature, physics, and agic! "ow uch of

what is coonly %nown is wrong e.g., Aristotle/s ideas about huan anatoy,

which were wrong but accepted for centuries0!

• Are the laws of nature and physics actually different in this world, or are they the

sae as in real life! "ow does agic fit in! "ow do agical beasts fit in!• Where is scientific and+or agical research done 7 uni)ersities, pri)ate labs, under


• #n what areas ight agic replace technology, and thus suppress its de)elopent

e1aple: if a spell to %eep food cold is easy and cheap, there/s no need to in)ent

refrigerators0! #n what areas ight agic cause ore rapid technological or

scientific de)elopent e1aple: coon use of crystal balls ight lead soeone to

thin% of in)enting the lens or the telescope sooner0!

• ;edicine




• "ow accurate is the diagnostic process! *o healers ha)e ways of telling two diseases

with siilar syptos apart! *o they depend on standard physical edical tests 7

refle1es, teperature, contracted pupils 7 or do they norally use spells for

diagnosis!

• "ow e1pensi)e is a healer! "ow a)ailable are such ser)ices to ordinary people!

• "ow uch is %nown about anatoy, physiology, pathology, etc.! Are treatents

based on purely practical e1perience &We %now this wor%s but we don/t %now

why(0, or do healers understand at least soe of what they are doing!

• "ow uch training does a healer norally get! Where! Fro who!

• #s healing generally a agical process! #f so, how does the agical healing talent

wor%! *oes a agical healer ha)e to consciously direct the healing process eaning

that lots of %nowledge of anatoy, etc., would be re5uired0, or does agical healing

siply speed up the noral, unconscious healing process in the patient! #s there

ore than one %ind of agical healer as there are surgeons, eye doctors, etc.0! Are

there both agical and non$agical healers, and if so, are they ri)als or siply

different specialties!

• #s there a reliable ethod of birth control! Who norally handles births 7 idwi)es

or doctors! What is the ortality rate for pregnant ladies, new others, and children!

•

What le)el is edicine at! Who are the healers! *o you ha)e to ha)e a talent to heal,or ust training! Who trains healers, herbalists, apothecaries, surgeons, agical )s.

nonagical healers, etc.!

• "ow uch need is there for healers 7 how uch sic%ness, plague, inury, etc. is

there in this society! Are there enough healers to eet this need!

• What %inds of treatents are a)ailable 7 herbal brews, )accinations, acupuncture,

spells, etc.! "ow effecti)e are they!

• #s it possible to resurrect+resuscitate soeone who has died! #f so, how long does it

ta%e before this becoes ipossible! Before serious brain daage sets in!

• "ow is insanity treated! Are there asylus or treatent centers, or is it handled case$

by$case! "ow effecti)e are treatents for insanity!

• "ow uch do the physical differences between huans and non$huans affect their

edical treatent! Are there diseases that only affect non$huans, or only huans!

Are there diseases that affect e)erybody, but with different degrees of se)erity 7 a



ild cold in a huan is galloping pneuonia in a dwarf! Are soe treatents lethal

to one species but effecti)e for others! *o doctors or healers ha)e to speciali2e to do

a good ob of treating non$huan patients!

• Arts and 'ntertainent

• What is the status of the arts dance, usic, theater, etc.0 in this society! Are artists

re)ered or istrusted! Are they considered noble or ioral! Who supports the arts!

Which arts are ost highly )alued and why!• Are there peranent theaters or concert halls for the perforing arts! #f so, who

owns and runs the! Are they profitable! Are there also tra)eling troupes of

players+usicians+dancers! "ow do their perforances differ!

• What do people at )arious le)els of society do for fun!

• Can agic be used in the arts, and if so, how 7 paint that glows, pictures that o)e,

flutes that play thesel)es, etc.! "ow do &noral( artists feel about this! #s there a

separate branch of purely agical art, such as illusion!

• What sports or pasties are coon haw%ing, hunting, s%iing, baseball0! Which

ones ta%e s%ill, oney, and+or leisure tie!

•

#s agic a profession, an art, or ust a ob! What is the status accorded to agiciansin this society!

• What gaes are coonly %nown 7 chess, dice, po%er! Which are coon aong

e)eryone, and which are liited to the peasantry or nobility! Are certain

countries+cities %nown for a passion+e1pertise for particular gaes or pasties!

• "a)e paper$a%ing and the printing press been in)ented, or are boo%s and scrolls

rare, e1pensi)e, handwritten ites!

• What things are considered appropriate subects for representational arts such as

painting and sculpture! Which are not! '1aples: soe cultures+religions forbid the

painting or sculpture of the huan figure, and ha)e abstract art9 soe ha)e liited

painters to doing only &uplifting( religious wor%s, etc.0

• Are there non$huan races who tend to be naturally talented painters, dancers, etc.!"ow does this affect huan practitioners of these arts!

• *o non$huan races ha)e their own gaes and leisure pasties! "ow do they differ

fro huan gaes! "ow do they reflect the physiology and+or particular agical

talents of the )arious non$huan races!

• Are certain races+cultures considered better at soe arts than other races+cultures!

Where do the best dancers, painters, usicians, actors, etc. coe fro!


furniture! "ow do they differ fro the standards in your culture e1aple: a country

which considers fatness a highly desirable beauty trait0! "ow do standard of beauty

reflect the physical traits of the )arious races e1aples: dwar)es ight considere1cessi)e height unattracti)e9 werewol)es ight be attracted by long teeth or a

particular scent0!

• Architecture

• What is the ost coon building aterial! Why is it used a)ailability, cheapness,

legal re5uireent0! *oes it ha)e any aor drawbac%s e.g., the 3reat Fire of

-ondon0!

• "ow tall a building can be constructed at a reasonable cost and in a reasonable tie!

• What are typical floor plans li%e 7 can people afford to waste space on hallways, or

do they ust ha)e a series of roos opening into other roos! Are buildings norally

built s5uare, triangular, doed, what!

• "ow any people usually li)e in a typical house! "ow large is a typical house!

• What are the differences in aterials and appearance between a lower$class, iddle$

class, and upper$class type house! "ow do people decorate buildings e.g., car)ings



)s. paint )s. patterns resulting fro the use of different building aterials0! Are there

differences in ornaentation depending on the purpose of the building e.g.,

gargoyles and car)ings of saints used ainly on cathedrals0!

• "as technology or agic progressed to the point of a%ing window$glass! #f so,

how e1pensi)e is it! #f not, what do people use to co)er windows necessary for

)entilation and light!

• "ow are li)ing 5uarters arranged! Are bedroos on the top floors for pri)acy or onthe ground floor for con)enience! Are parlors or libraries coon! "ow are houses

heated+cooled!

• Are wars and insurrections coon enough that castles and cities are built with an

eye to ilitary defense first and appearance later, or are palaces and wall$less towns

the rule!

• <rban Factors



people!

•

#s population shifting fro rural to urban, south to north, ountains to coast, etc.!Why 7 in)asion, plague, gold rush, etc.! What effects has this had on the places


• *oes city layout reflect soe philosophy religious or otherwise0, such as that the

&head( of the city ust be at the center or at the highest point or at the ost strategic

location! 4r were layout considerations ainly practical! 4r did ost cities &ust

grow(!

• Are there public or pri)ate par%s in ost+any cities!

• Are cities generally laid out on a s5uare$grid syste of streets, or do they ust grow!

"ow wide are the streets and alleys!

• What are the landar%s in each city! Where are the interesting neighborhoods, li%e

Chinatown or the dwar)ish section, and what gi)es each its special character! *o theneighborhoods ha)e naes!

• Where do people go to shop! To eat! To ha)e fun! To do &touristy( things! What

sorts of goods+food+entertainent are a)ailable in large cities that are not a)ailable in

the country!

• 6ural Factors


Why 7 in)asion, plague, gold rush, etc.! What effects has this had on the places



farers or food producers to urban residents! #f far production is based on agic,how any urban residents are going to star)e if the spells supporting faring


• Are peasants+farers+yeoen+serfs tied to their land by law or custo, or can they

o)e to town if they feel li%e it! Can they own their fars and property, or is it all

&coon land,( or is it rented fro a lord or landholder!

• 3i)en the state of roads and transportation, how uch food is it possible to ship to a

gi)en location before it spoils! This liits the si2e of cities.0

• Are rural areas priarily fars, forests, fields for gra2ing, or &waste land(! #n

outlying areas where there aren/t any people, how any roads are there, who

builds the, and who aintains the!

• "ow reliable is the weather fro year to year 7 is crop production relati)elydependable, or do people ha)e to cope with regular faines due to drought or floods!

• What %inds of catastrophic weather are coon 7 tornadoes, hurricanes, bli22ards,



waterspouts, dust stors! "ow do people cope! "ow do non$huans cope!

• "ow are faring+food$producing areas di)ided up between huans+nonhuans!

What %inds of conflicts are li%ely to result! '1aple: '1panding huan fars

encroaching on a forest that dragons or werewol)es use for hunting.0

• Can peasants+yeoen own their own land, or does it all belong to the lord! What

%inds of rights o)er land, crops, gae, etc. does a lord+landowner ha)e! #s poaching

a proble!

3eneral

• "ow do ordinary people feel about foreigners! on$huans! "ow ready are they to

accept different ideas! "ow cosopolitan are they!

• "ow uch social obility is there! #s it easy or hard for a person born a peasant to

ad)ance to the iddle class, or a iddle class person to the upper class or nobility!

"ow uch resistance would there be! Would such a person e)er be accepted

socially!

• What ites or foods or aterials are lu1uries 7 chocolate, coffee, sil%, spices, flush

toilets! Why!

• What do people generally loo% li%e! Would a blonde redhead, brunette0 stand out in

a crowd! 8oeone >D ?E tall! *o non$huans stand out in a crowd, or are there

enough of the around that they/re considered ordinary!

• What are accepted nors of personal hygiene! *o ost people bathe regularly, or is

bathing considered a health ha2ard!

• "ow is garbage and other waste aterial disposed of!

• What is furniture li%e 7 big and bloc%y, delicate, siple, elaborately car)ed,

painted! What is it ostly ade of 7 cloth, wood, stone! Are certain things li%e

chairs with ars0 reser)ed for high$status indi)iduals!• #n what ways does furniture design reflect the custos and lifestyle of the people

e1aple: beds with bed$curtains for pri)acy in edie)al hoes where ser)ants

wandered through roos without warning9 futons that can be rolled up and put away

instead of beds in a country with little house$space0!

• What are the plubing and sanitary systes li%e! Who builds and aintains the!

"ow reliable are they, and who do you call when the drains bac% up! "ow do they

differ fro city to far!

• "ow do people cope with )arious disasters 7 fire, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes,

bli22ards, plague, etc.! "ow coon are such disasters!

• "ow early do people get up in the orning in the city! Country! Are cloc%s

coon, or do people tell tie by the sun or by listening for church bells!

• Fashion and *ress

• What do people wear! "ow e1pensi)e is it! Can the aterial be produced locally, or

ust soe or all of it be iported!

• Are weapons a standard part of dress for any+all segents of society!

• Are certain clothes custoary for certain occupations 7 e.g., ilitary unifors,

udges robes+wigs, sports teas unifors, etc.! "ow uch )ariation is allowed 7

could a scholar wear a day$glow green robe as long as the cut is right, or would that

be too uch! #s it color or style that is ost iportant!

• Are the dyes for certain colors 7 purple, indigo, etc. 7 rare, a%ing cloth of that

color ore e1pensi)e and+or reser)ed for nobility or other high$status people!• Are there suptuary laws, defining who can wear what! What are the penalties!

Who decides when changes are needed! "ow often are they adusted!



• Are there fashions+fads in things besides clothes 7 styles of carriages, furniture,

etc.!

• Are there fashions+fads in agic 7 are herbal spells &in( this year and ritual spells

&out,( or )ice )ersa!

• "ow any changes of clothes can a noral person afford! A noble person! A

peasant!

• What is the current fashion in clothes! "ats! Gewelry! 8hoes! *o such fashionsdiffer for huans+non$huans! Between city and country!

• What aterials are appropriate to the cliate! What aterials ust be iported, and

are therefore for e1pensi)e upper$class clothes only!

• What things are considered tac%y and )ulgar, and what things are stylish!

• What types of decorations and accessories are coon! What colors and

cobinations of colors are thought to loo% well or to clash! *o opinions on this )ary

fro race to race!

• What physical types and characteristics are currently fashionable 7 tan )s. pale s%in,

the &consupti)e loo%( )s. robust good health, fat )s. thin, blonde )s. brunette,

uscles )s. &dead poet(, etc.!• "ow do non$huan fashions reflect their physiology! *o dragons dress for dinner!

*o eraids ha)e a nudity taboo!

• ;anners

• What distinguishes a foral, high$court dinner fro an ordinary eal besides

5uantity and )ariety of food! "ow do high$court anners differ fro e)eryday ones!

• What are the rules of precedence 7 who gets to go through doors first! Who gets

introduced first!

• #s there a distinction between &foral( or high court good anners and inforal,

e)eryday good anners! When and where are people supposed to be on their best

beha)ior!

• "ow iportant are &good anners( in this society! What constitutes e)eryday good

anners! "ow do &good anners( differ fro race to race! "ow do

people+dwar)es+el)es+dragons react when soeone has ust been, by their standards,

unspea%ably rude!



arri)ed guest!

• *iet

• What dishes are considered holiday food! What foods+drin%s are associated with

particular holidays, e)ents e.g., funerals, weddings0 or ties of the year!

• What distinguishes a foral, high$court dinner fro an ordinary eal, besides5uantity and )ariety of food! "ow do high$court anners differ fro e)eryday ones!



arri)ed guest! A guest who is ust departing stirrup cup0!

• #s sanitation good enough for untreated water to be safe to drin%! #f not, what do

people drin% instead!

• What things, while edible, are ne)er eaten what/s not %osher0! Why! Are soe

coon huan foods poisonous to dwar)es or el)es or )ice )ersa0!


farers or food producers to urban residents! #f far production is based on agic,how any urban residents are going to star)e if the spells supporting faring




• "ow any eals are considered noral in a day! When are they ser)ed! Which are

substantial and which are saller! Are certain foods e.g., eggs and bacon0 reser)ed

ainly for a particular eal!

• What dishes or seasonings would be considered typical of this area! What wines or

beers!

• What foods are considered peasant food! What foods are staples, coonly eaten

e)ery day! What foods are rare! What foods are norally eaten coo%ed+raw!• What is the food li%e! What herbs and spices are readily a)ailable, and what ust be

iported! "ow coon+e1pensi)e are iported foods and spices!

• What spices and herbs are produced locally, and which are rare and e1pensi)e!

Which are ost coonly used! *o people tend to li%e highly spiced food or not!

• "ow is food preser)ed for use during the off$season 7 so%ing, canning, salting,

drying, etc.! "ow reliable are the ethods used 7 how often does &preser)ed( food

spoil!

• When food is in liited supply, who gets first crac%! The laborers and farers who

ha)e to wor% to produce ore, or the children who are the ne1t generation, or the

wise and re)ered elders, or the nobility!• What foods and seasonings do non$huans li%e, and how do these differ fro those

fa)ored by huans! Are soe foods poisonous or distasteful to one species that are

delicacies or necessary to another!

• Are there ties when people are e1pected to fast e.g., before solstice, after the birth

of a child, during -ent or 6aadan, after the death of a ruler, etc.0!

• 3i)en the state of roads and transportation, how uch food is it possible to ship to a

gi)en location before it spoils! This liits the si2e of cities.0

• 'ducation

• "ow uch does it cost to get )arious le)els of education!

• #s there an organi2ed syste of education! #f so, who pro)ides it: go)ernent,

churches, pri)ate persons! "ow is it supported! #s agic considered part of the

general college curriculu, or do you ha)e to study it pri)ately!

• What sort of education is a)ailable, and where! Are there schoolhouses in e)ery

town, or do ordinary people ha)e to tra)el if they want to be educated! Are there

uni)ersities! Pri)ate tutors!

• What is the le)el of literacy in the general population! #s literacy considered a

useful+necessary s%ill for nobility, or soething only

scribes+cler%s+wips+bourgeoisie need! "ow coon are boo%s! "ow are they

produced!

• Who are the teachers! "ow are they trained! Who pays the!

• "ow uch education is considered usual at each of the )arious le)els or classes ofsociety! What things are considered absolutely necessary for a gentlean+noble to

%now! A tradesan!

• What things are considered absolutely necessary %nowledge for a courtier poetry,

languages, s%ill at ars, etc.0! Which are nice but not necessary! Which would be

highly ebarrassing if anybody found out about the a passion for coic boo%s,

etc.0!

• "ow respected are teachers and scholars! Who supports the!

• #f agic re5uires study, where do you go to learn about it! "ow do people fund their

training! #s there an apprenticeship syste, or are there wi2ard schools, or is it one$

on$one tutoring+entoring! #s an untrained wi2ard dangerous, or ust an ordinary

person!






• Calendar

• #s there a single, generally accepted calendar including tie easureents0, or do

different countries or peoples or races ha)e different ones!

• "ow is the day di)ided into saller tie units! What are they "our of the -ar%,

8unrise Bell, ones, etc.0! Are the naes rele)ant to anything! #s the length of an

hour fi1ed, or does it )ary depending on changes in the length of the day as theseasons change!

• What are the naes of onths, and how any days in each! "ow any days in a

wee%! ;onths in a year! Are there leap years! #f so, who %eeps trac%!

• Which days are general holidays or festi)al ties! What do they celebrate! Are there

any that are only celebrated in particular countries, cities, or regions!

• What e)ents0 do people use to date years! *o they use a single e)ent the creation of

the world, the end of the 3reat War, the in)ention of atoic power, etc.0 or are e)ents

dated based on recurring things the ?Hth year of Tiberius/ reign, the IE?st year of the

"an *ynasty0!

•

"ow do people tell what tie it is! Are there cloc%s, watches, sundials, etc., or do people ha)e to ust listen for bells fro the castle or church, or ust eyeball the sun!

• Are there any days that are considered &outside the year,( li%e ;ardi 3ras or the

Feast of Fools! "ow are these days custoarily obser)ed! "ow did they originate!

Documents

World Building Instructions