Worldbuilding Inspiration

Greetings, fellow worldbuilders!  

Embarking on the journey of creating your very own world is an unparalleled thrill. However, the task of crafting an entirely new realm from the depths of your imagination can be quite overwhelming. Worldbuilding is not merely a flight of fancy; it demands the art of carefully intertwining a rich tapestry of interconnected elements. From geography and cultures to history and even magic, the process involves navigating through a vast sea of possibilities. The weight of this immense potential can make your expansive universe feel like it's spiraling out of control. Yet, fear not! With the right approach, you can bring order to this chaos and assemble something truly awe-inspiring.

 

The Worldbuilding Periodic Table of Elements is a magnificent tool that can grant you clarity and control over your worldbuilding endeavors. This ingenious creation serves as a visual guide, aiding you in developing the crucial aspects of your world.[1] Each cell holds promise, enticing you to delve deep into the core elements that shape your realm. With every exploration, you will experience the tactile sensation of stepping into a developed world, where each discovery and revelation captivates your senses.

 
 

Worldbuilder's Periodic Table

 
 
Legend: Wordlbuilding Elements

General Ecological Cultural Organizational Geopolitical Economic Infrastructural Religious Historical Linguistic Technological Fantastic Nefarious Environmental

 

Note: Sorry, this element is not viewable from small screens! Please view this page from a larger device.

 
Maps
Actors
Narrative Components
Plot
Narrative Components
Special Abilities
Timelines
Peoples
Conflict
Narrative Components
Resolution
Narrative Components
Governments
Currencies & Trade
Water Systems
Gods & Demons
Magical Creatures
Spells & Magic
Lineages
Bestiary
Diplomacy & Politics
Businesses & Corporations
Power Systems
Religions
Alien Lifeforms
Constructed Lifeforms
Genre
Flora
Art
Architecture
Etiquette
Body Adornment
Guilds
Timekeeping
Fossils
Figure of Speech
Alphabets
Tools
Political Events
Factories & Warehouses
Waste Systems
Deathcare
Afterlife Beliefs
Paranormal Entities
Tone
Behavior & Reproduction
Music
Fashion
Taboos
Morals
Hierarchies
Recorded Histories
Artifacts
Slang & Curses
Long Distance Communication
Arms & Armor
War
Resources
Transport Systems
Schools
Sacred Texts
Mutated Organisms
Era
Ecosystems
Predation Dynamics
Poetry & Prose
Sports & Games
Rituals
Heraldry & Vexillology
Legends
Ruins
Lies & Propaganda
Future Technologies
Medicine
Law & Order
Rare Goods
Agriculture
Healthcare
Prophecies
Legendary Items
Internal Rules
Mounts & Familiars
Domesticated Animals
Cuisine
Entertainment
Celebrations
Secret Organizations
Outlaw Organizations
Traps
Riddles & Puzzles
Forbidden Tech
Alternate Technologies
Crime
Illicit Goods & Services
Failed Systems
Disease
Cults
Forbidden Magic
Deserts
Badlands
Forests
Rivers & Lakes
Mountains
Fields & Prairies
Seas & Oceans
Artctic Region
Jungles & Rainforests
Islands
Aquatic Zones
Subterranean
Volcanic
Bogs & Swamps
Galaxies
Solar Systems
Stars
Planets
Moons
Asteroids
Strange Worlds
Black Holes
Weather & Storms
Multiverses
Netherworlds
Spirit Realms
Fantastic Lands
Other Realms
 
 

Ruler10 1.svg

 
 
 

Write a story...

 
 

But we know that building a world isn't just about following a formula or ticking off a checklist of elements. To build a world that is truly unique and alive with possibility requires an electrifying spark, a prodigious jolt of creative energy. That's why I've included a Random Prompt Generator in this toolbox- to help you unlock your imagination and explore new ideas to their fullest potential. With just a few clicks, you'll be able to generate prompts that take your world deeper than ever before- uncovering hidden complexities and revealing unseen layers of richness.

You've made the brave decision to embark on a worldbuilding journey and the time has come for you to take a leap. Whether you're a novice worldbuilder looking for answers or a hardened veteran seeking new inspiration, gather all possible elements, generate unique ideas, and unleash the power of your vision. As you gain courage, let your imagination run wild, and witness with awe as your creation comes to life right before you.

 

* most of these ended up coming out comical when put together. This was not intentional, but I am not upset. Enjoy! :D

1 Note: Modified from this Reddit article.


Comments

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Mar 21, 2023 08:09

It's so cool!

Check out the worlds of Starhome and Magic Earth
If you are looking for my Worldember articles check Magic Earth or My Worldember Progress Page
Mar 22, 2023 03:13 by Gabrielle Decker

Thank you! I figured I had quite a few resources saved, why not share them? But there's already so many resource pages that are a compilation of links to other pages, I wanted to do something different. I created a new category and figured I'd start sharing some of these with everybody!

Mar 22, 2023 13:43 by Lilliana Casper

Wow, this is amazing! So many details and ideas. You've thought of everything. I'll definitely try to reference this whenever I need inspiration. Thank you!

Lilliana Casper   I don't comment much, but I love reading your articles! Please check out my worlds, Jerde and Tread of Darkness.
Mar 23, 2023 00:28 by Gabrielle Decker

I really enjoy this little table myself! I'm glad to know it'll be useful! Thank you!

Mar 22, 2023 16:38 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

This is such a great article. I love your adaptation of the original periodic table - yours is so much easier to read and use. :D

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Mar 23, 2023 00:29 by Gabrielle Decker

The original was too good to pass up, but it definitely needed to be more accessible imo! I'm sure I'll be adding to this article over time, but I think this is a pretty solid start!

Mar 22, 2023 16:48 by Mochi

This is GORGEOUS! I'm pretty burnt out right now but this is giving me quite a lot of motivation to write!

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Come prep for WorldEmber with me!
Mar 23, 2023 00:30 by Gabrielle Decker

YAY! That makes me all warm and fuzzy and I had no idea that was possible lol. I feel like a fleece blanket. But seriously, it makes me super happy to hear that! I'd love to read what you come up with should you embark on that journey!

Apr 22, 2023 14:46 by Mochi

I'm coming back to say how much this has helped me recently! Whenever I don't feel like writing, all I have to do is come look at this and my brain gears start spinning xD

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Come prep for WorldEmber with me!
Apr 23, 2023 02:14 by Gabrielle Decker

That's AMAZING, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! I take a lot of happiness from creating useful things for people. I have a document with some ideas for some future articles, but I'd like to take the time and get personal feedback from people to see what THEY would be interested in. Anything about worldbuilding in particular you'd like a deeper-dive into?

Apr 23, 2023 07:00 by Mochi

I'd love some stuff about peoples and cultures! I struggle with them the most, so it would be really useful to me! <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Come prep for WorldEmber with me!
Apr 23, 2023 16:30 by Gabrielle Decker

Awesome! That's actually an area I've been compiling a lot on recently. Stay tuned!

Mar 22, 2023 17:20 by TJ Trewin

You did an incredible job with turning this into an interactive version!! I love your choice of icons and colours for it :D amazing!


Journals of Yesteryear


I just finished some new art in my latest article: Pinecrest College of Aviation!
Mar 23, 2023 00:32 by Gabrielle Decker

Yay! Thank you, TJ! You were actually one of the main motivators for this. I love all your little 'help' articles (whether they be resources, tutorials, guides, what-have-you), and I got to thinking one day... I have over 3k bookmarks, and I'm pretty sure almost half of those are worldbuilding/writing related. Why not share some of them?

Mar 23, 2023 01:25 by Jaime Buckley

Wowwwwwwww.   (got nuthin else but wowwwwwww.)

JAIME BUCKLEY
Storyteller, Cartoonist,..pretty awesome friend =)
Subscribe to Life of Fiction to see the live results of all this worldbuilding.
Mar 23, 2023 02:17 by Gabrielle Decker

Lol! Thank you! I'll take that as a compliment then!

Mar 23, 2023 12:26 by Dani

"Write about a legendary time-traveling spaceship pilot who starts eating paper clips to unravel the secrets of a forbidden planet" -- that checks out, I'm not mad about it either lol!   Lovely work on the interactive version of the worldbuilding table: it's so clean and easy to read! (Can I say it? I'll say it: I will use it...periodically) XD


You are doing a great job! Keep creating; I believe in you!
Luridity: Where love is love and life is lived. Contains NSFW content.
Now with serialized fiction on Ream!!
Mar 23, 2023 21:52 by Gabrielle Decker

Omg I cackled way to hard at this!!! Bahahahaha. The generator has quickly become one of my favorite toys recently :P "Write a story about an immortal camo-wearing secratary who paintes horrible modern art for revenge against an enemy." "Write a story about your cousin, the algoithmic street vendor who rents a minivan because her own survival depends on it." "Write a story about someone you met in a haunted forest. They were a world-champion art student who hires 20 underage employees while screaming obscenities."

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