Worldbuilder's Anvil

Today's Topic Create a new Pantheons in fantasy fiction Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The bigger benefit for me was increased focus.  It was another major issue of mine.  However, that is a story for a different day. Get the stories and hear the tips in this episode of the Worldbuilder’s Anvil Podcast Listen to Michael and I as we go into this critical topic. Podcast Show Flow Not just for polytheism Chief god or God Major gods or archangels Minor god / Angels or Major Saint Demigods / Guardian Angel or Saints Evil minor gods / Demons Evil major gods / Devil of the Seven Deadly sins (Peter Binsfeld 1589 Lucifer: pride, Mammon: greed, Asmodeus: lust, Leviathan: envy, Beelzebub: gluttony, Satan: wrath, Belphegor: sloth Cultural Evolution round up (Or substitute world) Explain the natural world Explain the sky Explain the traditions (How to be moral in the culture) Explain the good and bad in people Remember better times

Today's Topic How to create fantasy and worldbuilding when pain or disease get in the way My back started killing. I was having trouble standing.  My wife stood over me; her frustration turned into tears. She had won. Her tears are the most pervasive argument I heard. I felt ashamed. I had let my pride control me. I was a warrior, a scout for the US Army. I could work until my body broke. I did not believe that the point would ever come. I was 32; I still felt invincible. However, lying in bed watching my wife in tears that that point had come. I had broken myself. If I can achieve in pain, anyone can The next several years it all got worse. My knee when out, my pain spread from my left foot to my neck. And then I started losing my confidence and suffering from anxiety. My anchor, Kristin got sick as well. She called me and told me she had cancer. She could not work. Our non-mortgage debt grew to $220,000. We had trouble paying for our house. I had to beg for money to pay for our mortgage which was larger tha

Today's Topic Looking to the universe to show us why framing a world is so important   Podcast Show Flow Inspired with the release of Gotg Vol. 2 And all space shows Worlds differences Most worlds are sparsely populated with few settlements Or you visit very few places Less cultures and details per world Great detail about what they do have Think about the important details How space works The technology How people live Benchmark live on earth Life in space or in other worlds   WBT Outline the world you need, then expand the area around you   RWT Watch Guardians of the galaxy, Firefly, Expanse, Cowboy Bebop, All Star Wars, and All Star Trek for next week.

Today's Topic Using story boarding to help visualize your stories Podcast Show Flow Realization that many writers cannot visualize the story in their head from just outline Solution Storyboard it Like is visual media, web design, marketing Focus you to see elements of scenes in a book, without looking for the perfect words The point, show the flow of scene One Board per scene Show the action of the scene What to not worry about Your artwork Camera transitions or actions (unless you are making visual media) Worry about Important reactions, emotions Sets Movement (setup to resolution) The number and position of characters When should you do it After chapter outline Before you write a chapter When you are done Follow the board and seeing the story Recheck your storyboard before starting the next chapter WBT Create a story board for a scene you have written RWT Share it in the undercroft Links http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/jan-29 https://accad.osu.edu/wome

Today’s Topic How reading and fiction help in more ways than entertainment If you are anything like me. You feel a bit guilty when you set a side time to create fictional work. Best case scenario in our minds is that we create something that enough people enjoy to help us feed our families. However, the reality is that it could take years to build up enough fans to start writing full time as a fiction author.  And for most of the people I know who write creating good books can feel more like a resource drain than an investment in our future. We need to realize our fiction is more than just entertainment Reading books actual paper books is a good thing for people to do. And reading books that entertain people can help in more intangible ways than non-fiction books.  However, most people do not know the intangible benefits of writing fiction.  Join Michael and I as we look at the benefits people receive reading fiction. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show not

Today’s Topic Who are the villain we are influenced by the most Michael and I love villains.  For both of us they define how good a story is. They can elevate a store or even limit a store if they are boring. Now, this is one of the most difficult podcast we have had to prepare for. It is tough picking your favorite things.  They are apt to change on how you feel that day or the perspective you take looking at the list. Join Michael and I as we look at our dishonorable mentions. Our favorite three villains as chosen stepping into this episode. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com Podcast Show Flow Why the dishonorable mentions? Special appearance from Mariner Michael’s number 3 Jeffery’s number 3 Michael’s number 2 Jeffery’s number 2 Michael’s number 1 Jeffery’s number 1   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Tell us your fav

It has been years since I visited the world of Krynn. However, the visit has flooded me with wonderful memories. Epic battles, great characters, and stories that still stick in my mind today.  I will always love this world. I had tinkered with worldbuilding before I started reading and playing Dungeons and Dragons in this world. However, the world sparked the desire to start worldbuilding. My memory was a bit weak on the world.  I would like to thank Dragonlance Nexus and Wikipedia for helping me remember more. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com Podcast Show Flow Dystopian fantasy world Margaret Weiss and Tracy Chapman o   Price of constant war o   Survival makes Steel more valuable than gold Huge o   5 Continents Ansalon Taladas o   5 Oceans A Giant Ice wall Dragons at the forefront My favorite character of all time and other faces o   Raistlin Majere o   Tasslehoff Burrfoot Races of note o   Irda (Twisted into ogre) o   K

Today’s Topic How I failed at understanding taboos until I started researching this episode I always overthought what a taboo was. I focused on the idea that taboos are these forbidden ideas, but how do you create them. How do these ideas form in a culture? Some, like murder, seem to be universal. However, others will be very culturally specific.  Some taboos seem to be old cultural norms. Wait, you are saying that some taboos use to be considered cultural norms Yes, and this is the secret that made me realize the true pattern needed to create cultural taboos. They are much more simple than forbidden acts in a culture. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The secret pattern to create taboos original to a fantasy culture The truth in all of the research I have done is most taboos are really things as small as impolite and end in the death of people break them. And they seem to form up in 4 categories: The negatives to important cultur

Today's Topic First look into types of subcultures in fantasy worldbuilding If you have followed the show you would not that Jeffery is a huge geek about studying cultures. We have talked about cultures and how they evolve in many ways. We have even spent time talking about how cultures can form into states in your world.  We really just love looking at naturalist ways to fake a world. Sometimes culture is just too superficial As you drill into a fantasy world, you might find that a fictional setting my not seem richly developed.  It probably because as cultures even very small cultures usually start coming up with their own inner divisions. In the world, we live in we often think of subcultures in our own culture. If you are my age you could never forget the jocks versus geek divide in high school.   However, we usually do not consider those to be subcultures of the subculture of high school students. There is a very good reason If you get my example above, it might seem apparent why so many only add in the

Today's Topic Starting your writing journey Writing is the second most important skill a worldbuilder can know.  Curiosity is still the most important skill.  Writing is invaluable to a worldbuilder, because you hone your delivery skills and immerse yourself in the world you are creating. It does not matter what medium you share your work. The benefit comes from the exercise you mind receives when writing down the details of the world. You need not ever share your writing to become a writer. However, if you ever want to share the art of your worldbuilding you need to become a writer. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The only two things that a writer need to do? You only need to do two things to become a writer. Reading and Writing. You need to spend time reading great works. Not as a fan, but you are looking to find how the writer accomplishes. You are just looking for the brushstrokes used by authors to deliver their stories. I t

Today's Topic Before you start building your fantasy world. Build a framework that helps you get to telling stories   Join Michael and Jeffery in this episode as the look to help show how to create a framework for worldbuilding.   Podcast Show Flow The two reasons I call it my style a framework world Scaffolding Framing the shot What is the point? Speed to production Consistence Allows for further growth The 5 Contacts to a world First Contact (Overview) Determine your Frame Determine reusability Describe the Mission Second Contact (The Basics) Create a Basics (Places, Rules, Faces, Races Culture, And Technology) Just what you know do not force it Frame Outline Third Contact Looking through the frame at the world Map it (Size matters) Identify Needs (Cultures, Religions, languages, States, People) Four Contact The Foundations (Three Points of reference) Frame Focus (Flesh out what you need to flesh out your outline) Fifth Contact Launch your Project Flesh out the rest on demand Pleas

Today's Topic Framework Fantasy World   Podcast Show Flow The importance of world building The challenge is to make it seem real from a perspective The Risk is focusing so much on creating the world that you forget when people interact with it from the angle you show them. Scope of the earth 15 Techtronic plates At Least 163 ethnic groups Over 510 Million km^2 of surface area Over 4.5 billion years old give or take Over 107 billion people have been born Then there is the rest of the universe 91 Billion Light years’ side to side (Diameter really) Alternate reality’s, other planes of existence, etc etc Could you come up with the time to create all that? Movies – Sets vs reality Studio fight scene in Blazing Saddles Stage Magicians – Catching a bullet Worldbuilding is the art of Bullshitting Faking the set Creating an illusion Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Think about your world

Today's Topic Fantasy worldbuilding inspiration in the every day Join Michael and Jeffery as they start looking into their life to for inspiration, at least for an episode. Podcast Show Flow The Tree stump The Snow piles Pets and kids in action People watch Walkabouts Pick a place Start in the center Where and how do the inhabitants move and eat Where do they work? Where are the importing structures How much do they stand out?   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Walk around you yard and house, look at the small details The Real-world Task for the Day Pick a small town or city neighborhood. Walk around, look at life happening.   Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))

Today's Topic How to get a game rolling for a one shot   Podcast Show Flow Mission or Monty Hall style game Well planned Story outline Use your pre-built resources towns, NPCs and the such Pre-built characters (optional quicks for players) Pre-written notes and maps Post-it notes to plan Keep the person in charge controlled by the GM Kill Michael’s characters before important scenes Or Just fucking wing it and pray   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Run a one-shot game The Real-world Task for the Day Help me find my trash cans and then check out the Seize the GM Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://gardul.com/blog/   ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( M

Today's Topic The Tools I use to keep my campaign organized.   Podcast Show Flow Maps and Art needed ProFantasy Art NPC List in excel or google docs Scrivener Worldbuilding File Names lists Scrivener Campaign file Story Outline NPC List linked Generic NPC Jobs list Excel Name Generators Notebooks of doom Rocket book wave smart notebook   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Look at your tool kit. The Real-world Task for the Day Check out Seize the GM Podcast Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://gardul.com/blog/http:/gardul.com/blog/episode-164-my-gm-toolkit-and-bag-of-tricks ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))

Today's Topic The effects of climate on Fantasy Worldbuilding   Join Michael and Jeff as the climate in fantasy world-building. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow Global warming lead to abundance in areas, usually around rivers Abundance leads to people moving less Moving less and abundance leads to over population And overpopulation leads to farming or migrating The warmth gave then it took at least some of it away Nubia is now a desert Fertile Crescent is much less fertile Mediterranean lost its touch Indus had a bad day   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day War game out different climate effects on your main culture. The Real-world Task for the Day Join the undercroft https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the sho

Today's Topic Death helps create a culture and that in turn becomes religion   Join Michael and Jeff as the look at a simple system to develop death rituals for your fantasy worldbuilding cultures.   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow How did they die? Considered natural Suicide Martyrdom Warriors death What is the major cultural risk to having someone dead around? Attracting dangerous animals? Diseases https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_risks_from_dead_bodies Miasma Theory – Diseases spread from the smell of the dead The night of the living dead Punishment from a god Mourning Your loss Their loss What happens to them now Afterlife or not? Take out your dead Burn her Cremation Bury Her Grave (Together or apart) Known or hidden Tomb Cave Side of the hill Freezer Dump her Dumped out in nature Sky burial 150 Rocks fired into space I am not dead yet! (Cryonics) Eater Other factors that mi

Today's Topic The movie that helped shape a fantasy lover and worldbuilder   Podcast Show Flow Excalibur movie 1981 I want to be a freaking mage, even with the drawbacks Raistlin Majere only showed me how a good mage Based on the 15th-century Arthurian romance, Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Malory Fantasy has been around for much longer than we know Llancarfan Life Fake or alternative history History ~ 1100 AD Roots at least to a 6th-century monk called Gildas Courtly love is a bad day Flirting and fighting for forbidden fruit good, anything else bad What happens when you go too far Reality vs Desire Uther was reality, Arthur was hope Wars and Quest suck, but the idea of them are romantic People look to explain they’re past Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Take a culture that has formed a kingdom from chaos, develop ideas for how they would explain their past The Real-world Task for

Today's Topic So you want to share your fictional world and you are stuck, here are 3 simple steps to start now You have something inside you. A fictional world. You need to share it.  You feel it in you. You are exciting.  You sit at the keyboard. You are ready to start.  However, you don’t. You tell yourself it is too difficult. You tell yourself you are not sure what to do. You tell yourself, you have time.  You will just wait until you have something to share. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Stop lying to yourself You are like me a couple of years ago. You are not smart, you are building regret. Stop it and Start. Join Michael and I as we look at why and how you should start. Do not hold off are you are ready to launch your first creative product or you will find yourself alone and lose money. Podcast Show Flow Tirade Three things you need Buy a website address called a URL at NameCheap Get a Website host at HostM and upda

Today's Topic Using the patterns of long history to create a natural framework fantasy world   Big history is a great way see the patterns that have successful let to the civilization on earth. Join Michael and I as we explore studying Big History to better build fantasy worlds Podcast Show Flow Big History That is it Weak planning, great passion for the topic. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Learn more about big history The Real-world Task for the Day Enjoy the winter season, unless you live south of the equator than enjoy the summer.   Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://gardul.com/blog/episode-159-big-history-worldbuilding-best-friend   ((((((