Episode 190 The crap we forget when fantasy world building

Today's Topic Creating a fantasy story from a world

So you have created your hero, villain, geography, cultures, kingdom, and monsters. However, when you look at your fantasy world it still feels like something is missing. Something is just flat. And your fictional fantasy world just seems….FAKE!!!

What can I add to make my fake world with magic seem real?

If you really want your world building to shine, add in details that make it seem real. Show how and where the weapons are made. Make the princess escape through the sewage enter. Have a look of poop dumped on the villain’s head. The places of civilization are dirty… no they need the dirty to exist. Take advantage of those place to add real world connections that people can make use of. Does your fantasy thieves guild run the local dump. Do they use the dirty elements need for a city to pilfer from it?

We are focusing on the dirty in this episode.

However, significant details do not have to smell bad; some details can smell great. The area’s food is made can feel alluring. Try walking in a place like Hannover Street in Boston and not have your mouth water.

Good details take you beyond what is needed

They are the smells, the sights, the sounds, the sensations, and the tastes that the people who interact with your fiction know. Worldbuilding is more than creating items for your world. When you create a fictional prop, make sure people can use all of their senses to better immerse into your fictional world.

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 crappy topic.

Podcast Show Flow

Waste related
- Where do people go to the bath room?
- Is the cave full of bats? What about the cave floor?
- What happens to road kill?
- Garbage Pits?
Forgotten city scopes
- What happens when it rains?
- Sewers?
  - Is the sewers water treated?
- Would someone want your pee?
- How do they get clean water?
- What happens if there is significant damage to a city?
- Where are the bodies dumped?
- Cheese Baths?
- Building materials (Tar, Pitch, Concrete, Pots, Garmun)
That smells great!
- What do your roses smell like before they bloom?
- What about the pig pens?
- Animal or human doctors?
These are the sights and sounds that can be used to enrich your environment