The Worldbuilding Summer season Camp is right here! This third immediate wave is themed round Perception, so let’s take a look at how one can method this theme and the varied prompts!
The gold theme: perception
Non secular perception is a foundational component for a lot of cultures, however perception doesn’t should be about faith! Beliefs might be about superstition, city legends and myths, individuals you consider in, and extra. There are additionally faculties of philosophy and even simply private codes of values that you would be able to consider in. Basically, something and anybody that evokes individuals, for good or sick. There are many alternatives to tie this in with the previous two themes too! The introduction of a brand new perception system may cause enormous social modifications and, however, individuals with robust beliefs could be proof against sure modifications. As for refuge—many individuals discover refuge of their beliefs, non secular or not.
Perception prompts
These are the prompts that observe the theme of Perception. To reply them, go to the Summer season Camp problem web page!
Someplace in your world, describe…
21. A faction of a corporation constructed round perception [Organization]
Monastic orders, political events, knightly order
Writing a couple of particular faction fairly than the group as an entire permits you to introduce depth into your world, and even battle! Numerous factions inside a corporation may share the identical objectives however be antagonistic to one another on the similar time. And whereas your thoughts may go straight to spiritual organizations, there are lots of organizations that want perception to work! Political events are factions inside the group of the nation, and so they want their voters to perception in them. Equally, a knightly order will probably be loyal to one thing or somebody—that’s perception too!
22. A delusion, city legend, or conspiracy principle believed by many to be true [Myth]
Creation myths, people etymologies, flat earth
There are a lot of issues individuals falsely consider and most of them aren’t as grand as a creation delusion—generally persons are simply unsuitable about random stuff! These mundane myths can nonetheless be actually attention-grabbing to discover, as they will have deep historic or cultural roots. For instance, most individuals settle for that the Earth is spherical, however there are nonetheless people who find themselves very satisfied of the other. Folks etymologies (i.e. when individuals wrongly assume the origin of a phrase or idiom) can be actually enjoyable to play with to point out how individuals see their tradition and historical past. So, as all the time, return to your setting’s themes and think about what kind of frequent beliefs your individuals would have!
23. An evil spirit or divine antagonist [Character]
Asmodeus, Japanese yōkai, the Man of the Noses
For this Character, we’re taking the non secular route! Now, not all characters will really be a part of a proper faith, though they’ll normally be associated in a roundabout way to people beliefs or superstitions. For instance, in Japanese people tradition, the yōkai are evil or mischievous entities which might be usually not thought of a part of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous faith. However you don’t should create somebody who is evil—they may simply be perceived as evil or unsettling by some individuals. For instance, in japanese Spain, the Man of the Noses seems on December thirty first and is claimed to have as many noses as days within the 12 months. He’s not a creature with evil intent, however it could actually appear scary, which is commonly sufficient to make him really feel antagonistic to youngsters.
24. A doc of spurious or controversial attribution [Document]
Apocryphal texts, Shakespeare apocrypha, Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor
This time we’re specializing in a doc not due to its contents, however due to its writer. For instance, there are a number of performs that had been initially attributed to Shakespeare, however we all know they weren’t really written by him. Typically issues aren’t as clear although: there’s some controversy about whether or not Bach actually wrote all of the music that’s attributed to him; and sure, music additionally counts as a Doc on World Anvil! So to start with, take into consideration why the textual content was written in that means. It may very well be somebody utilizing a well-known writer’s title as a method to get printed, it may very well be an nameless textual content that has been wrongly attributed by society. You may actually have a doc written by an essential particular person however declared apocryphal by a determine of authority to additional their agenda!
25. A relic or image of perception [Item]
Nationwide or political flags, a saint’s bones, Sword of Safety (She-Ra and the Princesses of Energy)
Symbols are an important a part of creating and sustaining perception. Be it model constancy, patriotism, or non secular religion, a logo is an easy approach to create a group across the perception and, in some instances, an object of worship. And naturally, symbols have a historical past behind them, which is why they’re so enjoyable to put in writing about! However symbols can be distinctive objects; in She-Ra, the Sword of Safety isn’t solely a really highly effective magical merchandise, but in addition grow to be the image of the riot. So, to start with, take a look at the historical past of the group or religion behind this image and take into consideration what kind of merchandise would make sense.
26. Slang or a language related to a faith or perception [Language]
Non secular swears, The Scottish Play and different euphemisms
There are two fundamental methods you’ll be able to method this: both have language that references a perception, or language that exists due to a perception. For a primary instance, the expression “Oh my God” is clearly associated to faith, whereas “break a leg” in all probability exists due to the idea that saying “good luck” will jinx it. The case of The Scottish Play could be very attention-grabbing: in response to superstition, saying “Macbeth” inside a theater, except it’s a part of a script, will convey again luck. Subsequently, The Scottish Play developed as an euphemism for the play Macbeth. So so as to develop this, you’ll first want to have a look at your world’s beliefs and superstition to determine the place this type of language would seem.
27. A number one or high-ranking place in a corporation [Title]
President, cardinal, chef
This immediate is a couple of rank or title, not a couple of particular particular person. Because of this, when you can speak about present and previous holders, the main focus is on the duties, tasks, and privileges that include the title. Most leaders will both want or need perception or loyalty from others, however attempt to discover one which particularly displays this! Past the non secular subject, democratic leaders want individuals to consider in them so as to maintain their place—and for non-democratic leaders, encouraging their residents to consider in them is a approach to keep in energy too. You can too method this on a small scale: the chef of a restaurant or inn additionally wants their clients to belief they aren’t being poisoned.
28. The practices and ceremonies of worship [Tradition]
Political rally, prayer, giving likes to celebrities, Purelake faith (Stormlight Archive)
How do individuals present their help and admiration in direction of a perception or an individual? All three examples are issues most individuals have both seen or taken half in, however even this will differ lots between cultures and time intervals. To determine how your individuals would show their admiration, there’s a few questions it’s worthwhile to ask your self. To start with, why do they maintain that perception? From right here, you’ll be able to design the fundamental construction of their worship practices. Then, take into consideration the cultural background behind that perception. For instance, within the Stormlight Archive, Purelakers are a tradition that publicly worships a false god in order that he doesn’t get jealous of their true god. Their true object of worship is a single deity, however their worship is affected by the cultural associations with that false god.
Wild card prompts
Each week, we additionally launch two prompts that aren’t associated to the theme, so you’ll be able to reply them as an alternative if you wish to take a break from the primary theme! Right here they’re:
29. A settlement that’s referred to as a celebration city or pleasure metropolis [Settlement]
Las Vegas, Venice
Time for a lighter immediate! The place do individuals in your world go (or want they may go) to have enjoyable? And what sort of enjoyable is it? When you’re writing a darkish setting, their idea of enjoyable could be horrifying to our eyes. However you might additionally go the other means and subvert our expectations by making it an really good place that additionally serves as a haven for these outcasts that simply desire a completely happy calm life. This goes very well with the Refuge prompts from final week, in case you need to tie it in with earlier solutions!
30. A hybrid species deliberately bred [Species]
Mules, beefalo
Hybrid animals are frequent additions to fantasy worlds, however what about intentional hybrids? In the actual world, we generally do that to “get one of the best of each worlds”. For instance, mules are bigger than donkeys and sturdier than horses, which is actually helpful for a pack animal. So that is the place you may need to begin: what does your society want out of your animals (or crops) that isn’t totally coated by a single species? Then, take a look at some other species you may need already created to see if you happen to can pull from there. You may even find yourself with a four-way hybrid in case your world has animals that will appear like hybrids to you (akin to in Avatar: The Final Airbender).
DON’T MISS THE NEXT PROMPT REVEAL!
Excited to get the fourth (and last!) immediate wave? As a result of we’re excited to point out them to you! Make certain to tune into subsequent Saturday’s stream at 6pm UK/10am Pacific to be the primary to know the 8 Decay prompts and two new Wild Card prompts. Do not forget that to get Gold, it’s worthwhile to full any 24 prompts, not essentially those on this wave!
What are your ideas for this theme? Share within the feedback—and go to the problem web page to reply the prompts!
