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+#REDIRECT [[Worldbuilding]]
-{{Merge|worldbuilding|date=December 2007}}
-{{Refimprove|date=August 2007}}
-[[Image:Sample conworld.jpg|frame|right|A rendered conworld, as would be seen from space by an observer.]]
-A '''constructed world''' (also ''conworld'' or ''sub-creation'') is an [[imaginary world]], usually  associated with a [[fictional universe]], built via a '''world building''' or '''conworlding''' process. A constructed world typically has a number of [[constructed culture]]s and [[constructed language]]s associated with it. Worlds are often created for a [[novel]], [[video game]], or [[role-playing game]], but sometimes for personal enjoyment or its own sake (see [[geofiction]]).
-Constructed worlds often provide additional backstory and history to events in novels. Authors typically revise constructed worlds to complete a single work in a series.
-==Methods==
-There are two general methods <!--"schools of thought"?-->for world-building, '''top-down''' and '''bottom-up''', as well a combination of these two ("top-down-bottom-up").
-In the '''top-down''' (or ''macro-to-micro'') approach, the [[designer]] first creates a general overview of the world, determining broad characteristics such as the inhabitants, [[technology]]-level, major [[geographic]] features, [[climate]], global [[history]], and other details of [[strategic]] importance. Once this is complete, the details of the world are developed by gradually focusing on smaller and smaller details, such as [[continent]]s, [[civilization]]s, [[nation]]s, [[city|cities]], and [[town]]s.
-A world constructed using this method is generally well-integrated and the individual components fit together in an appropriate manner. However it can require considerable work before enough detail is completed for the setting to be useful at a [[:wikt:tactical|tactical]] level, such as for use in creating a story.
-The second method is the '''bottom-up''' (or ''micro-to-macro'') approach where the designer begins with a focus on one small part of the world, possibly with a few elements, not necessarily consistent, needed for fictional purposes. This location is given considerable detail, adding in important facts about the local geography, [[culture]], [[social structure]], [[government]], [[politics]], [[commerce]], and [[history]]. Many of the prominent locals are described, and their [[Interpersonal relationship|interrelationship]]s determined. The surrounding areas are then described in a lower level of detail, with the information growing more general and less detailed with increasing distance from the focus location. Later when the designer needs to use other parts of the world, the descriptions of these other locations are then enhanced.
-The benefit of a bottom-up approach is the almost immediate applicability of the setting. The details pertinent to a story or situation are rapidly developed, and the information can be used without waiting for the remainder of the world to be detailed. The draw-back of this approach, however, is the world is designed in an unfocused manner and the setting can develop inconsistencies on a global scale.
-The alternative third method is the '''top-down-bottom-up''' (or ''macro-and-micro'') approach, where the designer uses a combination of the first two methods by beginning with a loose overview of the world as in the top-down (''macro-to-micro''), determining basic characteristics of geography and climate, but is not very detailed.  Next the designer switches to the bottom-up (''micro-to-macro'') approach, filling and adjusting details as required.
-Worlds constructed in this method have the benefit of being able to be immediately applicable to the setting as well as having consistent global scale details.  The drawback is there is more work required in creating the world to keep the marriage of Macro-world and Micro-World consistent. Worldbuilding - though primarily the tool of fantasy and science fiction authors - is also a helpful tool to authors of any genre. Worldbuilding allows the creator to add a depth of realism that they might not have been able to achieve otherwise, having a guide to the created world that can be easily referred to will help to avoid simple mistakes in the lore of the world.
-==Construction==
-An uninhabited world can be useful for certain purposes, but the large majority of constructed worlds are inhabited by one or more [[sapience|sapient]] [[species]], and, often, numerous [[sentience|sentient]] species. The designer usually selects these creatures prior to the start of the world-building process, although less significant species can be merged in at a later stage of the development. Designers in the hard science fiction genre using a top-down approach sometimes leave questions of flora and fauna until the end, creating scientifically novel situations and attempting to predict environmental adaptations to them.
-===Cosmology===
-In science fiction worlds, especially those with space travel, the process can begin with designing the star and solar system in which the planet resides. If a realistic world-setting is intended, the designer can choose to develop detailed [[Astronomy|astronomical parameter]]s for the [[orbit]] of the world, and to define the physical characteristics of the other bodies in the system. This will establish [[chronology|chronological]] parameters, including the length of the day and the durations of the seasons. This can lead to cultural aspects of time-keeping, including names for sub-divisions of the [[calendar]] and important [[Anniversary|anniversaries]]. Astronomical equations are used to develop solar systems consistent with physical laws as they are currently known; however, many authors forgo formal design processes and simply design plausible-sounding systems. Some systems are intentionally bizarre. For [[Larry Niven]]'s novels [[The Integral Trees]] and [[The Smoke Ring]], Niven designed a freefall environment, a gas torus ring of habitable pressure, temperature and composition, around a neutron star.
-Fantasy worlds sometimes have unique cosmologies as well; in the [[Dungeons and Dragons]] RPG, the physical world is referred to as the Prime Material Plane. Other planes of existence devoted to moral or elemental concepts are available for play as well. D&D's [[Spelljammer]] setting provides an entirely novel fantasy astrophysical system.
-===Geography & Cartography===
-[[Map]] construction is usually begun in the early stages of world-building. The maps are used to determine the location of key [[terrain]] features, and the significant [[civilization]]s, [[nation]]s and [[town|settlement]]s. When a realistic world setting is a design goal, the [[physical geography]] of the map is considered when determining [[weather]] patterns and the location of weather-dependent features such as [[desert]]s, [[river]]s, [[swamp]]s, and [[forest]]s. These in turn affect the growth and interaction of the various [[Society|societies]], including the [[trade route]]s, locations of important [[City|cities]], and places of likely [[War|conflict]].
-Some designers use software programs that can create [[random]] terrain using [[fractal]] algorithms. Sophisticated programs can apply geologic effects such as [[tectonic]] plate movement and the [[erosion]] due to [[climate]] and [[water]] flow. The resulting world can be [[render]]ed in great detail, providing a degree of realism to the result.
-It is vital to have clear and concise maps that display the locations of key points in the story - both so the author can be sure to be consistent and so the readers can get a clearer picture of the world being described. Two examples of famous maps in both literature and modern media are Middle-earth and the world of Azeroth.
-Once this process is complete, the creator begins to design appropriate ecosystems for each biome. The degree of novelty in each setting varies considerably by author. The primal biochemistry of the life is sometimes innovated (for example, [[Isaac Asimov]]'s short story ''[[The Talking Stone]]'' is based on silicon, while the Outsiders of Larry Niven's [[Known Space]] series are based on liquid helium). More often an existing Earth ecology is used, with novel species added.
-Many authors create their own fauna and flora to enrich their world. Imaginary herbs are a large part of many fantasy novels, Kingsfoil in The Lord of the Rings being one such example, the spice Melange in Dune is another.
-===Names===
-Once the preliminary map is drawn and the locations are described, the next step is to provide names for places and features. Unique names are often used to provide atmosphere to the world setting.  When the civilization of an area is modeled after a human society, the [[place name]]s can be chosen to match the style of the language of the model society. In other cases, the place names may be developed using a [[constructed language]] (perhaps a minimal one used only for devising names), or the names may be made up from scratch, hopefully with a consistent style that suggests they originated in a single language.
-[[English language|English]] [[toponym]]s such as found among the [[place names of the British Isles]] might also be used, along with an explanation that the civilization's language has been (fictionally) translated "completely" into English; the only restrictions here being that, remembering henceforth that the rules applying to place names within a given translation scheme only do so because it was first decided which rules should apply to [[proper name]]s as a whole, therefore automatically applying to place names, [[personal name]]s, and [[surname]]s by extension, one must for the sake of consistency resist the urge to create any proper names simply for aesthetic appeal (only very recently have personal names been chosen this way; traditionally, all proper names within a language have an immediately recognizeable meaning such that anyone should recognize a given name as but a nominal application of an ordinary word), with the possible odd exception of a name that could not be translated from the (fictional) original language, in which case one might wish to create a scheme for [[Anglicizing]] spellings, and momentarily barring this exception, that one can only use [[morpheme]]s of known [[etymology]] (as it would make no sense to translate something from a [[source language]] using words that have no known original meaning in the [[target language]]) in a place name or any other proper name.  J. R. R. Tolkien used this strategem for dealing with names, including place names, that were "originally" the same language fictionally translated into English throughout [[The Lord of the Rings]] and its relatives, which were likewise "translated" into relatives of [[Modern English]] such as [[Anglo-Saxon]] and [[Old Norse]].  While seeming a dauntingly complicated process, it is actually infinitely simpler than developing a realistic language.
-===Culture and History===
-The use of past human civilizations as a model for societies in a constructed world is a commonly-employed method to aid in the construction of constructed-world societies. The audience for the constructed world can usually relate more readily to a well-known civilization than to a novel [[culture]]. But this approach can become problematic when forming a society of non-human beings. Building a satisfying and self-consistent [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] culture is a distinct design challenge. The different cultures that inhabit the world are another important aspect of worldbuilding. These are often based on real cultures, such as the [[Vikings]], Western Europe during the Middle Ages, ancient China, or the [[Bedouins]].
-With the establishment of societies and nations in place, the interaction of these groups becomes an important factor in the history and development of the world. A history is constructed to explain the current circumstances of the various [[nation-state]]s, including the location of the borders and the various [[Wiktionary:alliance|alliance]]s and enmities. Conflicts are typically a key element of a story, and these provide a method for placing notable individuals within the setting.
-Creating a history for an imaginary world adds a depth and flavour that can help to draw readers into it. Created history can be based on anything, but many science fiction and fantasy authors base their novels in worlds where a major war has occurred in the past, is occurring, or will occur in the near future. Examples of such writing include The Lord of the Rings, the Shannara series, and the Belgarath series.
-===Human Geography===
-Settlements are a significant component of most constructed worlds. Typically the description of a settlement includes the location, [[ruler]]s and [[Government|political organization]], [[population]] size and composition, [[Economic system|economic situation]], [[Military|military defenses]], and whether the settlement forms part of a greater political body, or exists as an independent state. Significantly more detail can be added to this description, and for many purposes a large settlement can even serve as an entire world unto itself, with only marginal attention paid by the developer to the outlying world.
-Many of the above considerations also apply when creating a fictional country within our own world, as [[Austin Tappan Wright]] did in his novel ''[[Islandia (book)|Islandia]]''.
-==Map making==
-Almost all constructed worlds will include one or more [[map]]s intended to portray the [[geography]] and [[political]] boundaries of the setting, as well as the key features and [[town|settlement]]s. Most such maps will be drawn in a style suitable to their [[genre]], with fantasy maps being highly stylized while science fiction maps will often strive for realism. If the world setting is Earth-like, a realistic map will often take into account the effects of terrain on climate, as well as the results of erosion and [[tectonic]] mountain-building.
-Here are some common rules used in the building of fictional maps:
-* [[Mountain]] ranges are formed where [[tectonic]] plate movement causes subduction, or where plates collide. These tend to be long structures with occasional valleys and passes. Older mountain ranges will be lower, rounder, and more eroded. Solitary mountains are more likely to be [[volcanic]] in origin.
-* [[River]]s always descend downhill, and join with other bodies of water or eventually evaporate. They flow precipitously in mountainous areas, sometimes forming [[canyon]]s and [[waterfall]]s, but tend to meander and build river valleys in lowlands. Rivers often join up, but almost never split, at least until very close to their [[river mouth|mouths]].  The region around a river is usually rich in life.
-* [[Swamp]]s form where the ground is level and there is a large influx of water, such as at a river delta, that drains off slowly.
-* A [[forest]] will typically form in locations with higher levels of rainfall. Where the prevailing winds cross a mountainous rise, the forest will appear on the [[windward]] side where moisture tends to be deposited. The far side will be dryer, and may become desertified.
-* [[Desert]]s form in locations where the climate conditions limit precipitation. They can occur inland where they are sheltered behind a mountain range, or in regions that receive little humidity due to the prevailing wind conditions. Deserts can occur at any latitude, including the [[arctic]] conditions found in a [[tundra]].
-* [[Sapience|Sapient]] settlements will normally form in locations where there is a suitable economic need for a population center. This could be a port along a river or coast for trading; a location that is favorable for farming or resource gathering; or a commerce center along a land trade route. Less frequently settlements may form for particular cultural reasons, such as the proximity of a [[religion|religious]] site.
-[[Image:Cc etrusca.gif|right|thumb|360px|Example map of a fantasy land named Etrusca that uses the geography of the Italian peninsula.]]
-Early maps will often be sketched out by hand in a simple fashion, drawing in the oceans, mountains, and forests, and adding in the cities, national borders, and other features of interest. When greater detail is needed, more detailed maps are then created for specific locations. If professional results are needed, the maps can then be created by an [[artist]]. There are also special software packages such as [[Campaign Cartographer]] that are available that allow the creation of good quality maps.
-==Specific constructed worlds==
-===Professionally constructed worlds===
-Some examples of constructed worlds in professionally published works are [[Middle-earth]] and [[Ethshar]]. [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] began with creating languages, then developed peoples (the various races of [[Elf|Elves]]) to speak them, and much later wrote novels set there. Tolkien regarded the invention of constructed worlds (which he called "sub-creation", in imitation of God's creation of the universe) as a near-religious act, part of the process he referred to as ''mythopoeia''.
-Other examples of worlds developed for novels include [[Terry Pratchett]]'s [[Discworld]], the three continents (Faltha, Bhrudwo and Elamaq) created by [[Russell Kirkpatrick]], the pseudo-Earth ''[[Hyborian Age]]'' from the [[Conan the Barbarian|Conan series]]; ''Arrakis'' from the [[Dune (novel)|Dune series]]; [[Darkover]], [[Ursula K. LeGuin]]'s [[Earthsea]] and [[Gethen]], and the broken world of the [[The Wheel of Time|Wheel of Time series]].
-[[Lawrence Watt-Evans]] says that he created [[Ethshar]] for use in role-playing games before he started writing novels based in it. [[Steven Brust]] used [[Dragaera]] for role-playing games before he wrote novels set there. [[M. A. R. Barker]] originally designed [[Tekumel]] well before the advent of role-playing games, but Tekumel was and is used for this purpose by many [[gamers]] including Barker himself. Barker has also written novels based in Tekumel.
-A [[shared universe]] is a single universe with aspects that can be used by several different authors. Examples include the [[Star Wars Expanded Universe]] as well as several [[campaign setting]]s that have been developed specifically for [[role-playing game]]s. One of the oldest such role-playing fantasy settings is [[Oerth]] for the [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D]] [[Greyhawk]] setting. [[Forgotten Realms]] is another D&D setting that was originally a [[homebrew]] campaign world by [[Ed Greenwood]]. [[Harn]] is a highly-detailed, very internally consistent world with a medieval feel. An example of a [[science fiction]] setting is [[Blue Planet (fiction)|Blue Planet]], a water-covered world with a detailed ecology.
-[[Webcomic]] artist [[Jennifer Diane Reitz]], who spent years as a [[Gamemaster]], has built universes notable for their extremely detailed [[physical law]]s, most famously Tryslmaistan and Pastel. Her works also mention a number of other universes, such as the ones traveled to during a Pastel Defender [[Heliotrope]] sequence, Ktlikitkaktl (home of the oft-mentioned, never-yet-seen-directly Ktlikitkak) and the worlds of the Krawlni. In essence, they form a cohesive [[multiverse]] and mythos. (Interestingly, Reitz has implied that [[Flatland]] is contained in her multiverse, though it will almost certainly not be involved in any storylines, for obvious reasons.)
-An example of a fictional world whose inner workings are currently under construction in the public domain is [[Globus Cassus]].{{Verify source|date=July 2007}}
-== See also ==
-{{Wikibooks|Conworld}}
-* [[Constructed language]]
-* [[Fantasy world]]
-* [[List of fictional universes]]
-* [[Fictional universe]]
-* [[Fictional city]]
-* [[Fictional country]]
-* [[Geofiction]]
-* [[Planets in science fiction]]
-* [[C.S. Lewis]] and the [[Chronicles of Narnia]]
-==External links==
-* [http://conworld.wikia.com ConWorld Wiki]- A Conworlding wiki on Wikia
-* [http://conmyth.wikia.com Pegasus]- A Fantasy Worldbuilding wiki
-* [http://thecbg.org the Campaign Builders' Guild] - A community of world builders and campaign setting builders for role playing games.
-* [http://www.cartographersguild.com/ the Cartographers' Guild] - A community of mappers, mainly for role playing games.
-* [http://jacmus-prime.com/ jacmus-prime] Useful website relating to conworlding
-* [http://www.conworlds.info/cwbb/ Conworlds.info] A new (fall 2006) conworld forum. Split off from spinnoff.com due to conlanguage posts burying conworld posts
-* [http://www.spinnoff.com/zbb/ zompist bboard] Conworlding and conlanguage forum. Although conlangery is the major topic of discussion
-* [http://hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/faqs8.html Holly Lisle talks about Worldbuilding]
-* [http://www.imaginaryworlds.net/category/shakespeare-and-dragons-podcast/ Shakespeare and Dragons Worldbuilding 101] A podcast about worldbuilding from an English teacher's perspective
-* [http://www.writing-world.com/sf/world.shtml A guide to realistic fantasy]
-* [http://www.zompist.com/howto2.htm Computer assisted map drawing]
-* [http://www.basilicus.org Basilicus: Free Content World Building resource]
-* [http://www.omniversezero.com/forum OmniverseZero Forums: A Growing Internet World Building Community]
-* [http://www.qonur.com/civilization.html The Ønurþjóð Civilization]
-* [http://inkwellideas.com/?page_id=27 Worldbuilding: Fantasy Religion Design Guide] and [http://inkwellideas.com/?page_id=32 Worldbuilding: Local Fantasy Area Design]
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