Worldbuilder
From TFC Galactopedia
The TFC Worldbuilder is designed to help members of the community create their own "worlds" - be they a planet, system, or simply an independent and unique culture.
The worldbuilder is heavily inspired by the guidelines laid out for the creation of fantasy worlds by Patricia C. Wrede (http://www.larseighner.com/world_builder). The questions asked have been modified to specifically apply to the science fiction, furry nature of TFC.
Please contact Perdia if you have any questions about the worldbuilder.
| Table of contents |
Concept
To properly utilize the worldbuilder, you do need to have a basic concept of what you are trying to create. Whether it is a military-minded society like that of the Klingons or a unique cell of the Rebellion, you need to keep your end goal in mind.
If you already have created a character or characters from the society, you may want to consult their biographies for additional details. Alternatively, you may find yourself needing to further edit their biographies once more details about their home culture become known to you.
The world builder is not designed to tell you what answer to put to what question. It is merely a list of questions you need to consider about different facets of a spacefaring, anthroid society.
Arts and Entertainment
Dance
Cultural and Historical
Are there dances that have a specific impact on the historical or cultural development of this people, such as ritual dances to change weather or incite war?
Are there dances that carry significance, ancient or modern, in rural areas as opposed to urban areas and vice versa?
Are there religious dances versus secular dances?
Are there military versus civilian dances?
Is dance an important or unimportant part of this culture?
Social Aspects
Is knowing to dance an important social aspect? Are those who cannot dance looked at as lesser beings than those who can? Is the ability to dance looked at as a sign of honor, of weakness, of strength?
Is dancing considered socially acceptable? If one were to dance in public, would their social standing be raised or lowered? Would a trained dancer be considered a respected and skilled artisan, or a lower-class rabble-rouser?
Is dancing a social event? Do people gather specifically to dance? Do they gather in private homes or in public squares?
Do some dances have more social significance than others, such as the traditional father-daughter wedding dance in our own world?\
Does the importance of dance vary depending on the dancers' caste, economic status, and political status?
Entertainment Aspects
Are there specific venues set aside for the purpose of dance as entertainment - can one go to the theatre to see something equivalent to a ballet?
Are dancers viewed as entertainers, people of skill and rank? May anyone from any level of society become a dancer, or are there certain classes from whom dancers are specifically drawn? What sort of an education do dancers receive?
Who provides financial backing for dancers? Are there traveling troupes funded by powerful patrons, or is dancing something done only at weddings?
Are dances performed as a storytelling mechanism (Sleeping Beauty, the Nutcracker) or to transmit other messages (love, hate, romance)? Are they performed with or without music? With or without specific costumes or dress?
Is dance as an entertainment available to all levels of economic and social development? To all races? Is dance segregated and censored, or a free art?
Holographic or Technology-Based Entertainment
Music
Political Aspects
Is there a planetary anthem or anthems that command the respect, loyalty, and patriotism of societies? Do the different planets in the system have different anthems? Are anthems viewed as important by all social, economic, military, political and racial groups?
Is there a specific piece of music designated for the use of certain political leaders - for example, is there a song played by skilled musicians whenever the king, president, premier, or other leader of your planet enters a room? When they leave?
Are some types of music considered contraband or outlawed? Are they used to transmit messages of support or of rebellion? Are some songs and types of music used to transmit covert political messages?
Social Aspects
Are musicians respected as skilled artisans, or are they thought of as poor, young, idealistic idiots who make annoying noises in their parents' garages?
Is it possible for a musician to become a person of wealth? Do musicians rely on wealthy patrons to fund their enterprises?
Which castes, if any, consider music to be a necessary accomplishment? What sort of music do those castes place emphasis on? Does the importance vary not only by caste, but by race and gender?
Cultural Aspects
Does your culture have any completely unique instruments, songs, or musical styles that have become a symbol of the culture, whether good or bad?
Is music viewed as an art, an entertainment, or simply a part of daily life?
Is music an important or unimportant aspect of religious life? Does religious music have limitations - can only males perform, only females, only children? Is vocal music banned in religious life? Is instrumental music banned in religious life?
Entertainment Aspects
Are there permanent concert halls and venues available at which musicians can perform? Are these performances widely available in both rural and urban areas? Are these performances available regardless of race, gender, or social caste?
Can a musician become a well known celebrity, someone who can put pressure on the government or on a political or socio-economic group? Are there dangerous repercussions for this sort of activity, economic or political or otherwise?
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