The Ultimate
Worldbuilding Template
BASICS GEOGRAPHY
Natural world
Locations of significance Weather
1
People
Races & species Languages
2
Social frameworks
Civilization
3
History Culture Religion Leisure Education
Technology, magic & weapons
4
Magic systems Technology Weaponry
Economy
5
Trade & commerce Transportation Business
Politics
6
Government Law
THE BASICS
What is your world called ?
Is it set on :
● Earth
● Alternative Earth
● Not Earth
● Estimate its population:
● In one sentence , describe your world.
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GEOGRAPHY
The Natural World
How was the world created ?
How long ago was it created?
How do the laws of physics work?
How did the solar system move ?
What celestial beings exist ( suns , sta s , moons , etc . ) and how do they relate to the world?
Flora and Fauna
How does the flora differ from region to region?
Do any plants have special or magical properties ?
Are any dangerous ?
Creatures
What kind of wildlife roams which parts of your world ?
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How did the wildlife evolve? Where are they most commonly found ?
Do mythical creatures such as dragons exist ? How do they fit into the ecosystem?
Landscape
Where are the mountain ranges ?
Rivers ?
Forests ?
Deserts ?
Seas ?
How does the terrain interact with its inhabitants ?
Are there any “ natural wonders ” in your world ?
How were they formed ?
Diseases
What natural diseases have evolved overtime?
How are they transmitted ?
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How has this affected population growth?
LOCATIONS OF SIGNIFICANCE
What are the major cities in your world ?
Ports ?
Most populated metropolises?
Is your world splitting geographically? ( e.g . rural and urban , north and south, e t c . ) If
so, how?
Capital city
What's the capital city of the world?
Why?
Flags and symbols
How does each city choose to represent itself ( crest,, flags , signature colors ) ?
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WEATHER
What are the processes of your world that drive weather and ocean patterns?
Are certain regions more vulnerable to certain weather conditions?
Climate
How does the climate differ in each region ?
What are the seasons like in your world ? How many seasons are there?
PEOPLE
RACES & SPECIES
What intelligents species or races populate your world ?
Dwarves ?
Elves ?
Xenomorphs ?
Other ?
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How did they come to exist?
How does each race or species perceive each other?
How do they co - exist ?
Physical build
What do the inhabitants of your world look like?
Do they have any distinguishing features?
What is the societal standard for beauty?
How might this differ in each region of the world?
Mannerisms
What is the code of conduct between people of different ranks or classes? People of different
cities and regions?
Elders?
Custons and rituals
Are there rites of passages? ( Coming of age)
Celebrations?
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If so, what age marks the transition from child to adult ?
Festivals
What are the important festivals?
Why?
LANGUAGES
How many languages exist?
How did they originate?
Which language is spoken most?
Is there a universal language?
How do the names differ in each region?
Sayings
What are the common sayings?
Idioms?
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Insults?
" Untranslatable" words that only a certain group of people would understand?
Accents
If different languages exist, how does this affect the accents in your world?
What do the accents say about the person?
Greetings
How do people of the same / different race greet each other?
Is there an informal and formal way to greet each other depending on the level of familiarity?
What are the proper forms of the address?
SOCIAL FRAMEWORKS
How do people see each other?
Foreigners?
Non-humans?
What are the Social taboos?
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Class or caste systems
Is there a class system?
If so , how much ephasis does society place on it?
What are the tell-tale signs that a person belongs to a certain class ?
How does the class affect the business?
Family structure
What is the normal family unit ?
What is the social system within a family? Patriarchal? Matriarchal?
What constitutes a good father / mother / child?
Marriage
How is marriage defined in your world?
Is marriage a civil or religious institution?
Do people marry for love? If not, why do they marry?
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CIVILIZATION
HISTORY
How did civilization begin?
What were the significant wars that have taken place on your world's soil?
How have they shaped the present?
When was the earliest known record of history?
Can your world's history be divided into significant eras (e.9. georg ian, Victorian,
Edwardian, etcetera)?
Myths
What myths exist in your world to explain the cosmos?
How might this have in turn shaped religion?
How were stories passed through generations?
CULTURE
How is culture preserved in your world?
Things that define each culture?
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What would some people from a certain city, region, or country be proudest of?
Literature, art, and music
What is the role of the arts in your world's culture?
How is it perceived by society and how has it evolved?
Who are some celebrated or noted artists in history?
What for?
How might the arts have changed as a result of outside influences (from other regions, cities,
races, etcetera)?
Are any of the arts taboo? If so, why?
Clothing
What is the customary dress for men/ Women?
What fashion is trending and how does this differ from region to region?
How does the clothing one wears reflect status?
What is the dress code for each profession?
How strictly followed must it be?
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Cuisine
What are the regional dishes?
How might this differ depending on the climate and environment?
Is there a difference between what the poor and the rich eat?
What is considered a luxurious food?
What is considered a staple food?
How are mealtimes approached?
Is there a set hour to be at the table?
Are there traditions that precede or follow a meal?
RELIGION
How do people worship in your world?
When and where do people worship?
Gods and deities
Who are the major and minor gods that people worship?
What function do the gods serve in society?
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Holy texts
What (if any) holy texts exist? How well-known are the scriptures?
Would people of all ages be able to recite them on the spot if asked?
Significant prophets
Who are the important religious figures in the world?
For what reason are they significant?
EDUCATION
Does formal education exist?
If so, who can access it?
The rich?
The clergy?
Everyone in the general population?
If magic exists in your world, how is it studied?
Do schools exist to train it?
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What are literacy rates among the general population?
How does this affect communication and the distribution of information?
LEISURE
How do people spend their leisure time in your world?
What forms of entertainment are most common?
Are there any organized sports in your world?
How might its rules and regulations differ from the ordinary (i.e, Quidditch)?
TECHNOLOGY, MAGIC, &
WEAPONS
MAGIC SYSTEM ( S)
To what ends and purposes is magic used in your world?
Who can use it?
What limits are there to its power?
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What are the consequences of using it?
What is the history of magic and magicians in your world?
How does society view magic?
Positively / Negatively?
As the Other?
Rules of magic
How does magic work in your world?
Where does it come from?
Is there a language that's needed in order to call forth magic?
If so, what are its roots?
Is magic regulated in any way?
What is the governing body?
Practitioning magicians
What are magicians' status in society?
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Are they trusted advisors of kings or charlatans on the road?
How many magicians exist in your world?
How do they perceive one another?
TECHNOLOGY
How advanced is the technology in your world?
How does it work?
How does technology impact the different parts of society?
Transportation?
Communication?
Medicine?
How does magic and technology interact and co-exist?
Is it a rivalry?
A co-op?
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Are there rules and regulations?
WEAPONRY
What weapons are predominant in your world (ranged, combat, anti-gravity, etcetera) and
why?
Who makes the weapons?
How do they work? Is it easy to obtain them?
Signature weapons
Are there special weapons (e.g. Thor's Hammer, Captain America's shield, etcetera)?
How are they made?
How many of them exist in the world?
Common weapons
Are there any weapons that are so commonplace that every household owns them? If so,
what?
Are there professions that necessitate the bearing of weapons?
What about religions (i.e. the Sikhs who carry daggers)?
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ECONOMY
TRADE & COMMERCE
How is trade facilitated?
Is it carried out by traveling merchants?
Are there auctions?
What cities, countries, or regions are allies?
Trade partners?
How has this changed throughout history?
How is the soft power of a region, city, or country determined?
Currency
Is there a universal currency?
If not, what are the regional currencies?
What is the valuation?
How is the currency circulated and what are the denominations?
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Can the currency be broken down into units?
How is the currency circulated and what are the denominations?
Can the currency be broken down into units (dollars, cents, dimes, quarters)?
Major Imports & exports
What are the major exports of the region or city?
Imports?
How might this have evolved throughout history?
Does a particular region specialize in particular trade (i.e. livestock, weaponry, etcetera)?
Why?
Natural resources
What resources are natural in each part of your world?
How does this affect trade and trade relationships?
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TRANSPORTATION
How easy is it to travel within a city and outside of a city?
What modes of transportation exist (horse, anti-gravity car, etcetera)?
How is information disseminated all over your world (ink and paper, owl, newspaper,
messenger)?
BUSINESS
What crafts or trades are highly valued in your world?
Are some professions considered more elite or respectable than others? How so?
How do people advance in their fields?
Are there apprenticeships?
How easy is social mobility?
What is the normal work schedule for the average person?
What is the average income?
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POLITICS
GOVERNMENT
What is the form of government? Is it a monarchy?
Republic?
Empire?
Theocracy?
What are the responsibilities of the government?
How far does the government's sphere of influence spread (magic, religion, etcetera)?
How is the government perceived?
Is it trusted by the people or is there tension?
LAW
What is the rule of law in your world?
How is the law?
What are the most important laws?
What are the punishments for breaking the law?
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Justice systems
What is the legal process in your world?
How does magic fit into the legal system? Is it above the law?
War systems
How is war declared?
Is there a formal process that a country must go through in order to engage in war?
What is the command structure of the army?
How big is the army? Is it composed of humans? Non-humans? Both?
The Outer Layer
( Characters)
THE BASICS
Name
Age
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Place of birth
Current location
Nationality
Education
Occupation
Income
PHYSICAL
APPEARANCE
Height
Eye color
Hair color
Build
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Distinguishing features (tattoos, scars, birthmarks, etc.):
Preferred outfit?
Glasses?
Accessories (cane, pipe, necklace, etc.):
Grooming:
● Disheveled
● Smart, very put together
● Untidy but clean
● Other? If so, explain:
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Distinguishing “tics” and mannerisms:
Health? Do they suffer from chronic illnesses?
Handwriting (sloppy, neat, careful, unintelligible, etc.):
Gait:
● Confident, powerful strides
● Lazy stroll
● Fast, walks at a clip
● Distracted, eyes on the ground
● Other? If so, explain:
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SPEECH AND
COMMUNICATION
Style of speech (elevated, educated, peppered with slang, etc.):
Tempo of speech (rapid, slow, measured, drawl, etc.):
Do they have an accent?
● Yes
● No
Pitch (melodic, gravelly, deep, etc.):
Posture:
● Stiff, military
● Slouching
● Casual and relaxed
● ‘Turtle’, tired
● Other? If so, explain:
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Gesturing:
● Only when agitated or eager
● Doesn’t gesture
● Compulsive “hand-talker”
● Controlled, only to make a point
● Other? If so, explain:
Level of eye contact (direct, shifty, etc.):
Speech impediments:
Distinguishing speech “tics”:
Preferred curse word:
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Catchphrases:
Laghter? What do they tend to find funny?
Describe their smile:
Emotive? Do they wear their emotions on their sleeve? How easily can others
read them?
They have a resting face.
● Angel
● Side-eye
● Neutral
● Confused
● Other? If so, explain:
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The Flesh
THE PAST
Hometown:
Type of childhood (sheltered, neglected, etc.):
Education:
Were they involved in organizations and clubs at school:
● Sports
● Debate
● Gay/Straight Alliance
● Model UN
● Drama
● Other? If so, explain:
At graduation, they were named Most Likely to…in the yearbook.
Jobs (if applicable)? What would their résumé look like?
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Dream job as a child? Why?
Who were their role models growing up? Describe them:
Greatest regret:
Hobbies growing up:
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Favorite place to be as a child?
If they could change one thing from their past, what would it be? Why?
Major turning points or “life beats” in childhood:
Earliest memory:
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Saddest memory:
Happiest memory:
Clearest memory:
What are their skeletons in the closet?
Three adjectives to describe them as a child?
1.
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2.
3.
What advice would they give to their younger self?
Criminal record:
FAMILY
Father
Age (if living) Occupation
Briefly describe their relationship with your character:
Mother
Age (if living) Occupation
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Briefly describe their relationship with your character:
Siblings
How many?
What are their names? Ages?
Briefly describe their relationship(s) with your character:
Children (if applicable)
How many?
What are their names? Ages?
Briefly describe their relationship(s) with your character:
Extended family
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Grandparents
Uncles and aunts
Cousins
Other
Family’s economic status:
How often do they see their family in a year?
EXTERNAL
RELATIONSHIPS
Closest friends? Describe them:
Other significant friends:
Enemies? Describe them:
How are they perceived by strangers in the street?
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...acquaintances at a work function?
...colleagues in the office?
authority figures?
...friends in their friend circles?
...children?
...the opposite sex?
...extended family?
Development
Concept Development
This story follows
Their life changes/story begins when
This causes
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They wish to
but are held back by
What’s their role in a group dynamic?
● Leader Joker Parent
● Hype man Mooch
● Other? If so, explain:
Who do they depend on for practical advice?
...mentoring?
...a wingman?
...emotional support?
...moral support?
What do they want from a relationship?
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Who would be their ideal partner?
Do they have a significant other? Describe them:
How many people would attend their funeral?
The Core
PSYCHOLOGY
What do they do on rainy days?
Are they:
● Street-smart
● Book-smart
● Optimist
● Pessimist
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● Introvert
● Extrovert
Do they have a significant other? Describe them:
What is their favorite sound?
Favorite place in the world?
What secrets do they keep?
What are they most afraid of people finding out?
What do they want the most?
Biggest flaw:
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Biggest strength:
Biggest fear:
What is their biggest accomplishment?
What is their idea of perfect happiness?
Do they want to be remembered? What for?
Favorite quote:
How do they approach power?
...ambition?
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...love?
...change?
What is the one object or possession that they would rescue from their
burning home?
What (or who) bores them?
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What makes them angry?
What do they look for in a person?
How strong is their moral compass?
When, specifically, are they willing to compromise their morals?
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List the last 10 books that they read:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Which fictional world would they most wish to visit?
If they didn’t have to sleep, what would they do with extra time?
What are their pet peeves?
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If they won the lottery, what would they do?
Describe the character’s bucket list at the ages of 15
20
30
40
List the 10 songs that would occupy their All-Time Most Played playlist on
Spotify:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
What is the best compliment that someone ever paid them?
In an elevator, do they push the elevator button more than once?
● Yes
● No
What would they want their tombstone to say?
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THE PRESENT AND
FUTURE
Story goal:
Story motivation:
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