S'ard
2020
Scope
The motivation behind building S'ard
I want to create an alternative Earth setting that satisfies my interest in anthropology and languages. In particular, I want to start with exploring my own cultural roots and provide an entertaining medium for more people to discover Sardinian traditions (with scope to expand to other cultures, as a collaboration project).
My personal motivation for this is my learning journey as I enjoy using worldbuilding to spark my interest and research.
The goal of the project
The setting started as a pure worldbuilding exercise, but it spawned ideas for several short stories and at least a one shot adventure.
In addition to it, Dani wrote a beautiful short story set on it, so I will make sure that all future worldbuilding is consistent with the stories and the adventures already set in it.
S'ard's Unique Selling point
The USP of Sard is the fact that it's heavily inspired by Sardinian folklore and culture.
Theme
Genre
The genre is solarpunk with heavy fantasy elements, in particular with the involvement of witchcraft and fae-like creatures of the Sardinian folklore.
Reader Experience
The tone of the setting is generally bright and peaceful, but with underlying internal and external dangers that threaten to disrupt it. Despite the almost utopic setting, there is a lot at stake and the peace is rooted on fragile ground.
Reader Tone
The world tone is bright.
Recurring Themes
Character Agency
The characters have a good level of agency, but the setting can easily become a much darker one depending on their choices.
Focus
Drama
Children's and women's disappearences increased in the last few years and people are starting to notice it.
In summer wildfires are starting to erupt more and more often.
Political tensions between Turri and Karali are on the rise again over sailing routes to the African coast.
Dolphins have been successfully trained for advanced naval espionage in the north.
The technological advance has started to erode the respect that *istrias* used to hold in the communities.
Unless otherwise stated, all artwork and content are © Simona Mereu, 2020, All Rights Reserved