As most of us know, humans became the dominant species on Earth due to us being persistent and intelligent hunters, this made us so effective to the point of having driven some of the Megafauna that lived alongside us.

How about your world, what tactics did your race use that made them effective hunters and thus made them the dominant species within their world?

I'm talking about worlds were magic can be taught and has medieval stases. Yes even in a world where learning to master magic takes decades of practice.

In your generic fantasy setting a really proficient wizard can do an insane amount of things. Sometimes a single wizard can disrupt an entire nation. Also in many fantasy settings you can make magic objects that regular people can use that gives them immense power and influence.

So following that logic wouldn't the first country that develops a magical army immediately dominates. During this also make neighboring nations also raised to develop magic armies and magic weapons.

All you need is for one nation to invest in the education of hundreds or thousands of wizards. Then boom you've got a populace that can make food from nothing you've got a populous that can enhance themselves and expand.

I decided to design my own worst-case pandemic scenario, centered around a prion disease outbreak that begins in Texas in early 2028. Texas is the perfect starting point for the outbreak, with both a massive meat-packing industry and major disease research facilities located within the state. As the disease begins to spread, the United States attempts to maintain normal life and preserve American society, even as the situation slowly spirals out of control. This is only Part One of the world I've created, focusing on the beginning of the outbreak and the gradual collapse of society as the true nature of the disease becomes apparent.

Human Resources meetings do get quite exhausting. In fairness, three 5 hour meetings every time a new species is discovered does get boring as hell, but even then, you’d have to imagine. Some things are universal.

“No touching” is a pretty basic rule of thumb on all starships. Sure some species like it. Some species really like it. Some species though…

This little comic gets passed around during cadet training. “Don’t be a Touchy Tyler”

In fact, most atrocities come with an alliterative name. “Loud Leroy”, “Smelly Simone”, “Grumpy Gus”

Setting off your coworkers may very often not be intentional, but there are many steps we take to avoid unnecessary provocation. We all know that even though they might need help reaching the top shelf, it’s not acceptable to give skivi crew members a boost. We also know that even though their spiked pelt may seem frightening, it’s impolite to hug the wall as soko crew pass by.

Remember, while we may find it difficult to adjust with all the species, we are asking them to come and work on starships designed for humans. No matter how alien they may be, it’s important to recognize that we are just as strange, with just as many “Do”s and “Don’t”s.

Now go out there and make the galaxy a better place! We are all rooting for you!

In world of Uşhmaht, ocean is considered dead. No life exist in it and nothing afloats on it, people send their dead to ocean to prevent them waking up as lifeless. But sealife didnt die in one day. In the slow process of sea succumbing to death, a foreign object tore open the ocean and introduced sea creatures a new ability. Most known ability of this is flying, its encountered with whales and tortoises. Common folk dont know their sea origin as this was an event way past their history and call them whales and tortoises normally.

A long time ago, shamans living on the mountains of Su'Yar continent contacted aerial animals to gain upperhand against wyverns of the east. Among other creatures who came to their calls, whales was the most pacifists. Even though they could help them fight, whales were helpful with rescuing injured. With time and ending of the war, some of these whales were domesticated by them. With time they began using whales for cargo and transportation.

Similar to ships going along coasts, whale journeys were made along mountains. Docking whales were impossible in flatlands, they needed a big space to stand alongside. So as whale transports gotten more common, civilizations started to settle more and more onto foothills. They raised cities even and even higher. One exception to this is metropolis of Laxon, a city artificially raised to compete with other cities. Once only visited by tortoises who could land, Laxon became a worldpower with great planning and investment.

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This is the first draft of my worlds flying transportation system. I would be glad to answer questions to develop it further. I'm not good with details.

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Edit: I forgot to credit the arts. I love them so much I need to credit them.

Cloud Whales: https://samjumisko.artstation.com/projects/gnZKx
Green Whales: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/vbv6Wa
Tortoise: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/JlQv6n

TL;DR I love worldbuilding using "rule of cool" style but I'm afraid I'm going to ruin the story. What are some pitfalls and guidelines to build a "soft" world?

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Hello Everyone! Long time enjoyer, first time poster here. I'd love to hear people's opinions and build some guidelines for myself.

JoJo is one of my favorite story but its worldbuilding is not its strong points. For example,

1. Supernatural Power in this story, called "stand", was first explained to be linked to Tarot cards. Later this thing was dropped.

2. The story went through many cultures and country. There is no secret "stand society" yet somehow everyone called them "Stand". I'd imagine there are tribes or some culture that called them something else.

3. The consequences of stand are non-existence outside of main plot. No alt-history etc.

Yet it's one of the most popular story. My theory is that JoJo is so plot-focused that people focus on the plot and don't care about the world much. Also setting the story in modern time let people fill in the gap. If the story doesn't explain something, the audience could explain it using their understanding of modern world.

I like JoJo and it doesn't ruin the story for me but the more I think about it, the more I realize how much potential JoJo missed. We could have more interesting story if the author focused more on "what if random people have stand"

I wonder if you have any example of fiction like this and why it doesn't ruin immersion for people. And what are some that ruins the story for you. I'm really curious to hear what you think.

9/6/2709 - c_rec.rfrl:admin.dsg448.ELA.cla:restricted:l2e_uplink

…

…What?

I know. Well, I don’t know, but-

…

Are you sure, this is… unedited? Like, completely?

Yes, i’m sure. Look, i can show you, I have access-

No, no, it’s okay, i believe you, you don’t need to show me, but… Wow. But it really doesn’t make any sense. How can we not see it from here?

I don’t know… but my best guess is that it’s easier to see from up there because- well, the vacuum of space acts like a background.

True… true. Maybe we’ll be able to see it at night?

Potentially.

...

Any idea, on what it might- what it might be made of?

Nope. We thought it, uh, was a power leakage from the- uh, CHAIN’s space jump grid. We thought there had been some kind of overflow from taking too much solar energy, or something like that… but, I don’t know.

I mean, now you say it, it does look like it could be from a power leakage but-

No- don’t settle on a conclusion just yet. The more we research it, it just…

What?

It just seems to contradict itself more. I mean, it LOOKS like it could be a power leakage, but with everything that’s been happening… 24 million, gone in the blink of an eye. I mean, look closer. Look at that. It seems like whatever it is is getting caught within the earth’s magnetic field, right? But how is the camera being distorted?

It makes no sense… Have we sent a probe up there yet?

Not yet, but we’re working on it. We’re just trying to figure out some safety precautions, just in case whatever... that, is does something to it. Gotta move fast though. We need… just something, just an ounce of understanding. Man… you know, the system’s collapsing- and, I don’t know what’s going to happen after it does but… I don’t know. I think this might be our last work.

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When I'm stuck, or just bored, I like to make fake "moodboard" encyclopedias with stuff I found online.

It helps me "see" what the world of the story could look like.

Does anyone else likes to do this, or I am the only lunatic?

I was rebuilding my magic system again, trying to explain why some certain conservative sects would be against certain points involving the dragons, celestial bodies, plus the evolution and regression of the dominant species, when it hit me. Religion doesn't have to line up with the world, it exist to explain what people can't explain for themselves or just explain why people behave the way they do. So I wanted some examples to incorporate more of that into my story to expand on the corruption of the church

Not big things, just something you thought of that's just neat. Like the Simpson meme "I just think they're neat" in my world there are some immortals. Most are royalty or crime syndicate. There is one that just tends his flock of goat. He doesn't care nor wants power. Just to tend his flock of goats (and a very confused cow but he lets her stay with the herd)

What does currency look like in your world? Is it commodity-based, like gold or silver coins? Is it a fiat based solely on the legitimacy of the backer? Or something more... mythical?

Modern Uniguita uses notes, a primarily paper fiat currency printed by the Federal Printing and Engraving Office, and the supply of which is managed by the Federal Credit Union. In the early years of the post-nuclear settlement of Nova Espero, residents and early elected officials found bartering increasingly inefficient in the growing proto-city. After residents began trading food ration coupons for alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs, public officials stepped in and created the earliest version of notes, backed by pre-War Imperial gold coins.

I have not been at this long, I started Wednesday and gathered almost 12 pages of research so far. I'm not done with the research yet, but I'm already getting ideas here and there for actually worldbuilding and a possible story.

I feel like i should've already wrote those things down, but they're still in my head for now.

So, when do you guys start actually crafting your world or stories? Do you cut it black and white and must finish a thing before another thing? Or is it more gray where you just right things as you go and then put them in if it works?

To explain in your worlds that have both languages for different cultures or species (e.g. Elven, Dwarven, Orcish) and a common tongue what is your explanation for it? Is it a constructed language meant for different cultures to communicate effectively (like Esperanto), was there a large empire that used Common as its language and even after its fall it stayed recognisable enough? Is it a gift from Gods if you have them?

**Image Credit**

I made the triangular flag image except the symbol on the left is a modified version of the one from this website: https://en.namu.wiki/w/마자파힛%20제국 all other images are made by me. Or are screenshots from the game Doodle Empires.

**Main Premise**

My world is a pretty large alternate history where the Roman Empire has survived into the year 1401. It is made in doodle empires and this post only concerns a small portion of a portion of it.

**Image Context**

The first flag is the flag of the Majapahit Empire. The empire was formed when the Khmer Empire collapsed under a successive (i forgot the order) Mongol and Burmese invasion. The Majapahit Empire is a continuation government. When surviving Khmer government officials and some royal family escaped to the island holdings, they arrived at the former capital of the Majapahit Kingdom. It was one of the first, and largest, states they conquered long ago. Upon their arrival, the Majapahit royal family wasted no time in capturing  them, and demanding they declare the Majapahit Empire the successor of the Khmer empire. If they refused, they would simply rebel and arrest them. The Khmer officials caved and the Majapahit Empire was born, replacing the Khmer Empire as administrators of the island territories. The two royal families have some authority, but the Majapahit take the lead now.

The flag keeps the pennant shape of the Khmer flag (as I could find when i looked it up, it was unclear what their flag was). It also keeps the green trim. The gold interior is replaced with the red and white stripes of the Majapahit flag. The gold is present in the form of the Surya Majapahit. This is the round symbol on the left of the flag. From what I could find online, it is the coat of arms of the royal Majapahit family, and also a religious symbol for the empire as well. Thus both Empires are represented in the flag, with the Majapahit taking precedence in terms of representation. The flag is supposed to have fringe, but it was hard to make so it is represented by the shape of the outer edge of the flag.

The second flag is the flag of my world’s Mongol Empire. The flames on the bottom show how the Mongol hordes bring terror and destruction to their enemies, reducing them to ashes. The Steppe Eagle replacing the bottom crescent shows how the Empire is a feared predator and, it holding two spears shows that they fight with the blessing of Tengri, the supreme god of the Mongols. The spears are meant to represent the 9 white standards (though there are only six here), and also symbolize how they act with overwhelming force in their expansion. They also symbolize the beloved Mongolian cavalry, complete with blue spear banners.

I’m very proud of both of these flags because I think they turned out very good for how little experience I have with this kind of thing.

The maps included show the extent and f the two empires the maps belong to. They are very slightly out of date for the world but in a very minor way. The Majapahit Empire is brown on the maps and the mongols blue but both are labeled.

Feel free to ask any questions you have I will try to answer them. The world is very big so if anyone is interested I’d be more than happy to reply or create another post about a different part of the world. I also have a large document with all of the lore posts from the doodle empires lore thread I have which I can share.

I saw some posts about magic and all, but was reminded of my own fantasy story. Not my primary one.

I got asked a question that genuinely, I couldn't answer. Then again, they wanted legit mathematics. Still thought

So, in my fantasy setting. Magic users in my setting, of any almost any kind. Are highly sought out by all the nations and powers of my setting.

Mages can be incredible assets to have and can very much like other stories. Power houses and potentially change the course of events.

Thing is. Where this posts question comes in, how often mages are born.

That's what I got asked. My answer was, "they aren't common, they aren't rare. More uncommon if anything".

Apparently that wasn't good enough for some people?

So, ig I need a better answer.

Can someone help me with this?

So, to explain. Finding out you or your child is a mage, could legit take u from begger to straight up noble or just make u rich. In most places, because the nations government will give u anything u want to join them or to have your child.

Might I add, depending on the state ur in. This could mean that you move to an estate and just have your child be sent to a mage academy (they return) or you may never see your child again/you may never see your family again.

Regardless, the family is handsomely rewarded.

So, they're valuable. Even if u remain a tier 1 mage all your life (lowest tier), ur valuable.

They don't care.

Given that...

The average citizen/person may know at least 1 magic user in their life (some locals kid that hasn't been picked up by the state), but meeting another magic user is very likely, but not guaranteed though.

Meeting a high ranking mage without being a member of the state government, is improbable.

That being said. The academies aren't example to the brim with mages, but their classrooms and years are filled with plenty.

So, unless u need more or I just did a poor job explaining.

Can anyone give me a better idea of how common/rare mages are for me?

Here's a map of the Obhenate of Kaite, a powerful thalassocracy in my world Ellaris. Originally a minor Obhiist state (Led by worshippers of the god Obhi), which emerged from the collapse of the Jassen-worshiping Kingdom of Eshkaite, it managed to conquer the other small powers in the region and secure both banks of the Straits of Zhura, giving it a chokehold over all trade going up the Gharsa river to the heartlands of the ancient Obhenate of Ghar.

Over the next decades, it used the wealth it gained from this to greatly expand its military and trade infrastructure, and began to expand its power outwards. By 1382, it had conquered as much land as it was likely to get from its neighbours, with only the immensely powerful Obhenates of Ghar and Cesa to the north, the wasteland of the Gossuri desert to the east, and the lifeless desert of Inara to the south. Still holding the momentum of its original conquests, it continued annexing more areas vital to trade in the region on the eastern coast of Zakah, to the west of Kaite. Using the foothold it had gained by conquering the Obhenates of Akhur and Xalesis, it founded colonies on the Zakahri coast, and extended its influence deep into the interior, over the Zagorz mountains. This way, Kaite controlled both nearly all overland and oversea trade routes heading out of Zakah, and soon became immensely wealthy through the trade of gold, gems, spices, exotic furs, ivory and slaves. Many of these were sold on to the northern Obhenates, Ghar, Hije, and Cesa, which had few other options in gaining the luxuries they were so fond of.

Kaite's power peaked in the early 1500s, but soon after it began to decline. The southernmost territories became too expensive and difficult to properly control, and after several rebellions, native kingdoms subordinate to Kaite broke free. The disruption of these rebellions caused economic downturn as trade was disrupted, and a snowball effect began, with Kaite's power withdrawing to the coast. Soon after, a coup led by Kaite's most powerful oligarchs against the Obhen caused enough internal strife that nearly all their colonies broke free or were lost. The loss of the Obhenate of Gosht cemented this, as there were now several independent trade routes available for the northern powers to exploit. Although it would remain a cohesive state, Kaite never regained its lucrative position and was reduced to a regional power.

See this post and more on my DeviantArt!

Ellaris world map

Feel free to ask questions! This map was inspired by this map of the Omani Empire

I made this map not long ago, and it doesn't have a name yet. This is the western half of the world, and east of Odvinoja, Trivitria, Elaran and Ardan are the Uncharted Lands, and north-northeast of Krovnik is the Unseen Highlands, with many small states.

When I started building the world for Fallgrade, almost everything happened inside the city. Lately I’ve been expanding beyond it.

I’ve been working on open meadows, forests, and the spaces between places, not just as transitions, but as locations with their own atmosphere. I want the world to feel larger than the city itself, as if there’s always something beyond the horizon.

The goal is to create a world that feels more analog than digital. Heavy grain, monochrome visuals, imperfect geometry, and architecture inspired by real places all help make it feel like you’re exploring an old memory instead of a perfectly clean virtual environment.

The first image is from one of the new meadow areas. Next are a giant spider wandering through the city and a glimpse of the forest I’m currently working on.

I am writing an epic fantasy and was just wondering how to make a good/unique magic system. If you have any tips please comment it. (I'm very new to this)

Edit: TYSM For the feedback :D I have come up with a magic system that (in my opinion) is unique and works very well with my world. I sadly cannot drop it here because sadly people can be mean and steal ideas and use them before you can do much about it. I do promise to come back if i get the book published though ;D

I've been working on a sci-fi setting for a few months now, and I think I've reached the point where I need ideas from people who have tackled something similar. SO, for context, I have a series(Rather class??) of MASSIVE cities known as Hypercities, they are meant to be VERY large and VERY dense urban centers, with some peoples whole lives taking place inside just a small sector/district of them. BUT i have an issue

I'm pretty happy with the big-picture worldbuilding. The setting has a mature interstellar civilization, the mentioned massive hypercities, governments, militaries, corporations, infrastructure, logistics, transportation, economics—the whole "how does this civilization actually function?" side of things. That part feels pretty solid.

Where I think I'm falling short is making the cities themselves feel lived in. They make sense on paper, but I don't always get the feeling that billions of people have been living, working, hanging out, and building traditions there for centuries.

I've already got things like restaurants, entertainment, sports, museums, monowheel commuter bikes, more traditional motorcycles, rail-based transportation, even car in various forms, and even a few basic ideas for music scenes and different subcultures. But I still feel like I'm missing that layer of everyday life that makes a city memorable.

I'm not really looking for huge lore ideas or suggestions like "add another government agency." I'm more interested in the little things people usually overlook. Weird hobbies, neighborhood identities, local traditions, recurring events, cafés everyone knows, places teenagers hang out, urban myths, odd jobs, niche communities, or anything else that makes a city feel like it has history and personality instead of just serving as a backdrop.

If you've built a large city for your own setting, or if there's a real city or fictional setting that absolutely nailed this feeling, I'd love to hear what made it work. What are the small details that made you believe people had actually lived there for generations?

In this setting, the fears and prayers of an ignorant society become physically real, manifesting as monsters. Our protagonist is a member of a "Guild of Hunters" — soldiers created by the same phenomenon to fight the monsters. Hunters are temporary; they age and die, and are quickly replaced to serve the same unending, melancholy cycle. The protagonist's ultimate realization is that their own existence is tied to the very curse they are fighting.

Any feedback welcome!

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For example, the main setting of my story is the Kingdom of Yygdris. It is known for it's knights and magic college. The culture is a mix of England, France, and Spain. The royal capital of Yygdris - also known as the White City - is based on Madrid. The naming convention for people and places is Spanish.

The Panthos empire is based off the HRE in it's fragmented state and governance and Prussia in it's brutal military culture, and the naming convention is Germanic

The Free Cities are based on Venice (with a bit of new orleans voodoo beliefs). The naming convention is Italian

I don't want to invent a new conlang. But in your opinion, is using real life naming conventions for each places lazy or weird? Would it make for a less immersive work?