World Weavers' Workshop

Exercise 22 : Faith

For this exercise you're going to consider the place of faith in your world.

That might mean religion, or it might mean something different like patriotism, law, conspiracy theories ... whatever endemic or systematic belief(s) might be present in your world.

(a) Things to consider if your world/story contains a significant religion:
What is the basic premise of the religion?
How is the religion structured as an organisation?
How are followers of the religion treated by others? How do followers treat those outside the religion?
Is there a conflict between organised religion and personal faith?
If the religious organisation is an antagonistic faction in the world, what are the religion's good points? How did it become established in the world?
What are some symbols and rituals of the religion?

(b) Things to consider if faith is in something other than a religion:
What is the basic premise of the institution/belief?
Is there an associated organisation?
How do people sharing this faith connect and interact with each other?
How do people sharing this faith treat outsiders? How are they treated by outsiders?
Is there a conflict between people sharing this faith and another faction or organisation?
If the organisation is an antagonistic faction in the world, what are the faction's good points? How did it become established in the world?
What are some symbols and rituals associated with this faith? For example national holidays and flags if the 'faith' is patriotism.


Exercise 23 : Funerals

"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness, the tender mercy of its people, their respect for the law of the land and their loyalty to high ideals." -- statesman William Gladstone.

What are the rituals and ceremonies around death in your world?

Things to consider:
Are there funerals? Who is in attendance? Who does tradition require to attend?
How is the body of the deceased prepared (if relevant)?
Is there anyone officiating the funeral? If so, who? If not, how is the event arranged?
What are the trappings: the location, the clothes, the tools?
What happens afterward? Is there a wake or something similar?
How is grief observed in the long term? Are there required behaviours and what happens if someone doesn't follow them?


Exercise 24 : Music

Music has a long history, varying hugely by culture and purpose. There is operatic music, cinematic, rock ‘n’ roll, dubstep, trance, dance… too many kinds to consider under a single prompt.

Write about one type of music and its role in your world

Things to consider:
Is it ceremonial music, celebratory, casual, easy listening? Is it songs to lift spirits, to lay the dead to rest, to seduce, to inspire?
What instruments are used to create this sound?
Where is is performed?


Exercise 25 : Stories

Humans are a curious species. We are always poking, testing, learning and theorising. Since our early days we have made up stories to explain how the world works and how to survive it. We also use stories to teach lessons and promote social values.

What stories are important in your world?

Things to consider:
What type of story is it? What's its purpose? Creation stories are completely different from urban legends.
How are the stories told? Oral tradition or songs? Theatre or film? Written texts?
Who tells the stories? Are they part of a formal structure, an informal custom, or a whisper network?
Are there any traditions or trappings surrounding storytelling?


Exercise 26 : Animals

For millennia mankind has kept and bred domesticated animals. Animals also feature prominently in literature and art. They share the world with us and as much as we have affected their habitats and behaviours, they have influenced us too.

Wite about an animal and its significance in your world.

Things to consider:
If it's a domesticated animal, what role does it play? Is it a pet? Food? A companion? What makes it suitable for its role?
What are its natural environment and behaviours?
What traits does this animal have that adapt it to its circumstances? Size? Appearance? Senses? Behaviours?
This animal might be your metaphor for a group or society. Why?
Or a symbol adopted by a group because of its particular meaning to them. Why did they choose it? What does it mean for them?


Exercise 27 : History

By now, you should know a fair amount about your world. You will probably already have ideas about how certain things came to be.

Today, write an approximate timeline of important past events in your world.

The timeline can be of any length and doesn't need to have accurate measurements of time or marked by a calendar. It's enough for things to be listed in order with an indication of the distance in time between events.

For example, you could add tags to each event like "recent", "a few years before", "generation(s) before" and "ancient"; or you could write "[200-350 years]" between lines. Whatever works for you.

You can also write as much or as little as you like about each event. If you have the details of a coup, great. If all you know at this point is that a murder conspiracy happened, just put that down for now.

Things to consider:
How long do people live on average and what does that mean for living memory?
How does the method of storytelling affect living memory and the accuracy of history?
Is there a difference between the truth and what people later understand about the event?
What influence might earlier events have on later ones?
Are there any significant historical figures you need to name?


Exercise 28 : Final Review Day

Go back over your notes from the past four weeks. Do any further research, add to your notes, and make any adjustments or corrections.

Organise any other adhoc notes you've made so far.