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This Query is part of the Worldbuilding Resources Article.

In order to build fantasy worlds; The Lord of the Rings (novel) and Warcraft (Game), what basic pillars; maps, languages, races, history, characters, etc., are needed? What is a world building process like, and what are the recourses?

Example: How to build a fictional world - Kate Messner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTQSbjecLg

Creating a fantasy world? Ask 10 questions

https://www.nownovel.com/blog/10-questions-ask-fantasy-world/

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    $\begingroup$ This is not a question that can be answered. The requirements for a game are very different from those for a novel, and different authors have very different creative processes. It may be anything from decades of scholarly work to a few notes scribbled on the back of an envelope and then making the rest up as you go along. $\endgroup$
    – Mike Scott
    May 22, 2018 at 8:47
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    $\begingroup$ That's a different question, so it should be a new question, and not asked in a comment. $\endgroup$
    – Mike Scott
    May 22, 2018 at 8:54
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    $\begingroup$ It depends on the size of the fictional world, on the timespan of the story, and on the genre of the story. For example, the fictional world in the Lord of the Rings is much more complex and detailed than the fictional world in Nightfall. What you need to do is to develop those elements which are needed in the story. $\endgroup$
    – AlexP
    May 22, 2018 at 8:55
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    $\begingroup$ The lore for a game is more relaxed than for a novel. Also LOtR is not a novel but rather The novel. That said you can first look for "fantasy world" definition and ask in Writing SE $\endgroup$
    – jean
    May 22, 2018 at 11:57
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    $\begingroup$ IMHO rather than "write" it you "cook" it (novel/lore/scenario) using many elements to spice it. Good ones are like good dish and will got a equilibrium os flavors and condiments and even it will make the perfect dish it's left to audience tastes to judge it $\endgroup$
    – jean
    May 22, 2018 at 12:01

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Ah, an excellent question!

A fantasy world, which is a kind or subset of invented world or secondary world, is very much like the primary world in its basic structure and form. The geopoet or worldbuilder will consider numerous factors in making her world and you will see many parallels between the work of the worldbuilder and the primary world itself.

UPPER LEVEL PILLARS You have already highlighted several upper level pillars of worldbuilding. The clerestory, if you will:

  • maps
  • languages
  • races
  • history
  • characters

Other high level pillars are basics with respect to sophont beings:

  • culture
  • religion
  • history
  • social structure
  • kinship

LOWER LEVEL PILLARS But beneath these high level ideas are more basic ones upon which those are built. In the primary world, we view these more in terms of basic physical sciences.

  • Theology
  • Cosmology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Geology
  • Biology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Sociology
  • Economics

FOUNDATIONS But there are layers of pillars yet lower down! These are the ideals that the geopoet wishes to convey through the medium of the artistically conceived world. These are the fundamentals upon which the secondary world itself is built.

  • What kind of world is this to be? What is the basic perception I wish for others to see as regards my work?
  • How similar or different is this world to be from known models (i.e., the primary world)?
  • Is this to be a world of stable & rational Law or is it to be a more chaotic and Lawless place?
  • What fundamental Laws of Reality shall be established?
  • What powers do these Laws confer on the inhabitants of this world?

Notice that it is the answers to these questions through which the geopoet will set the tone for all further worldbuilding work. For example, if I choose "more chaotic but not entirely Lawless", this allows me to envision a secondary world where natural laws and sciences exist, but those laws do not necessarily hold constant everywhere & everywhen. Loopholes may exist; the very fabric of reality may be stronger or weaker by location.

EXAMPLE I don't know much about Warcraft, but I do know some things about Tolkien's concept of Middle Earth. From the bottom up, his conception is very much a world of stable & rational Law, very similar (in fact, identical to) the primary world, but with the aesthetic of a mythical age.

Moving up, Tolkien takes into account all the basic sciences. When things happen, they happen with reason and follow normal models of cause & effect & consequence.

At the top of the heap, we can see clear evidence of his consideration of the long history of Middle Earth, its languages, cultures, social structures and so forth.

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    $\begingroup$ Thank you so much! Perfect! Exactly what I have been looking for. $\endgroup$
    – Saw Thinkar Nay Htoo
    May 22, 2018 at 10:53
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    $\begingroup$ You're welcome! I am glad I could be of service! $\endgroup$
    – elemtilas
    May 22, 2018 at 22:01

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