08 Jan Create Your Own Fantasy World: Tips to Consider
Are you about to run your first original D&D game? Writing your first fantasy novel or maybe just curious about what it takes to create a fantasy world? Well, you are in the right place! Creating a whole new world sounds daunting, but here is a list of tips and tricks to make the task just a bit easier!
Things To Think About
To begin the process of creating your world, there are a few big points you’ll want to keep in mind:
- Climate/Biome
What kind of environment does your world have? How big is your world? Are there multiple biomes and climates, or just one? What kind of weather will your characters be dealing with? - Magic
Is there magic in your world? How does it work? Is there an exchange? Is it well studied, or something new? Is it naturally occurring, or man-made? - Timeline
What are some possible major historical events in your world? How have they affected the world? How long has your world been around? - Society
What does society look like in your world? Are there humans, or other species? Do separated species coexist peacefully, or is there unrest/war? Where do the borders lie?
These may seem like a lot at first, but answering these questions fully will have you fully on your way to creating a well thought-out world!
Picking Your Starting Point
After answering those questions, you should have enough information to actually begin creating, but where do you start? With whatever you feel you understand the most! Here’s a few options:
- Setting
Is your world a fictionalized real place? A completely fictional place on Earth? An alien planet? Or even a wholly original plane of existence? Describe everything about this place that could make it different from our world, and even the similarities it may have! - Real Life Inspiration
What is a society that you are fascinated by? Really dig into their culture and history to find things that inspire you. By looking at a real civilization, your world can gain that tiny bit of realism to bring it together. - Create Citizens
Who are the people in your world? Are they human, or something else? Create a few characters and see how they mesh into your world– if they don’t work, then look back at your notes and see what needs to be changed, until you are satisfied!
Other Resources
Looking for more help? No problem! Here are a few sources to look at for extra assistance:
How to Create a Fantasy World Without Getting Lost in There by Abi Wurdeman
10 Worldbuilding Tips: How to Write an Engaging Fictional World by MasterClass
How to Write a Fantasy World by MasterClass
World Building Template: Creating A Fictional World by Auden Johnson
-written by Ajax T, Teen Central Library Assistant
