Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions:

By Patricia C. Wrede
A.

Basics

Whatarethephysicalcharacteristicsofthisrace?A:
Howdoesmagicfitin?A:Howdomagicalbeastsfitin?A:
Isthisgenerallyanearthlikeworld?A:IsitanalternateEarth?A:
Aretheredifferenthumanraces,whetherornottherearenonhumanslike
elvesordwarves?A:Howdoestheculturalandethnicdiversityofthis
worldcomparetotherealworld?A:
Howlonghavetherebeenpeopleonthisworld?A:Didtheyevolve,or
didtheymigratefromsomewhere/whenelse?A:
Howmanypeoplearethereinthiscountry?A:Howdoesthiscompare
withworldpopulation?A:Whatisconsideredasmalltown/large
town/cityintermsofnumberofpeople?A:
Wheredoesmagicpowercomefrom:thegods,themanaoftheworld
(asinLarryNivensWarlockstories),thepersonalwillpowerorlife
forceofthemagician,somewhereelse?A:Ismagicanexhaustible
resource?A:Ifamagicianmustfeedhisspellswithhisownwillpower,
lifeforce,orsanity,whatlongtermeffectswillthishaveonthehealth
and/orstabilityofthemagician?A:Dodifferentraces/specieshave
differentsourcesfortheirmagic,ordoeseverybodyusethesameone?A:
B. Alternate Earth
Aretherenonhumaninhabitantsofthisplanet(elves,dwarves,aliens)?A:
Ifso,hownumerous?A:Howopenlypresent?A:Whatareasdothey
occupy(examples:dwarvesinmountainsorcaves,elvesinforests,etc.)?
A:
Howsimilararethehistoryandcultureofthealternateearthtorealhistory
andculture?A:Whyisitsosimilar/different?A:
Isthereaspecifichistoricalpointwherethisworldsplitofffromours
(e.g.,NapoleonwonatWaterloo)?A:Ifso,whatwasit?A:Howlongago
wasit?A:Howmuchhaschangedandwillcontinuetochangeasaresult?
A:Isthesplitinhistoryaresultofthepresenceofmagic,oristhechange
thethingthatmadeworkablemagicapossibility?A:
Ifthereisnospecificpointofdivergence,whatarethedifferences
betweenthisimaginaryworldandtherealone?A:Howobviousarethey
ineverydaylife?A:Ifmagicexistsbuthistoryismoreorlessthesame,
whyhasithadnoeffect?A:Ifmagicworks,elvesexist,etc.,butmost
peopledontknowit,howandwhyhasthisbeenkeptsecret?A:
Ifmagicisknowntoexist,whichhistoricaleventshavechangedand
whicharethesame?A:Howhaveorganizedreligionsreacted?A:
Governments?A:Ordinarypeople?A:Whatlawsand/orprofessionsare
different?A:Whateffectwillthegeneralandspecificdifferenceshaveon
thesocialquestionsbelow?A:

Not Earth at All

Howdoesthisworlddifferphysicallyfromearth?A:Isitthesamesize
(samedensity,samegravity),sameratioofland/water,sameatmosphere,
etc.?A:Doesithavemorethanonesunormoon?A:Rings?A:Arethere
spectacularconstellations/comets,etc.visibleatnightorbyday?A:
Aretherenonhumaninhabitantsofthisplanet(elves,dwarves,aliens)?A:
Ifso,hownumerous?A:Howopenlypresent?A:Whatareasdothey
occupy?A:
Howarethecontinentslaidout?A:Ifthereismorethanonemoon/sun,
howdoesthisaffectwinds,tides,andweathergenerally?A:
Howmuchlandisthere,andhowmuchofitishabitable?A:
Istheaxialtiltandorbitthesamei.e.,doestheworldhavethesame
seasonsandsamelengthofyearasEarth?A:
PhysicalandHistoricalFeatures
A. General
Inwhichgeographicalareaswillthestorytakeplace?A:Howmuch
groundwillthestorycover?A:Whatarethemoststrikingfeaturesof
landscape,climate,animals,etc.inthisarea?A:Howwillthesefeatures
affecttraveltime,communication,etc.?A:
Iftherearenonhumaninhabitants,arethereanyareastheyparticularly
claimastheirown(e.g.,dwarvestraditionallyliveunderground,usuallyin
mountains)?A:
B. Climate and Geography
Havehumanactivitiesaffectedclimate,landscape,etc.invariousregions?
A:How?A:(Example:SaharaDesertgrowthhasbeenincreasedby
overfarming.)Ifthisisanalternateearth,willthealternatepartchange
existingeffects?A:(IftherearenopeopleinN.Africa,desertgrowthis
probablyslower.)A:
HowdodifferencesfromEarth(multiplesuns,moons,etc.)affectthe
climateinvariousareas?A:
Howmuchlandisineachoftheequatorial,temperate,andpolarzones?
A:
C.

Note:climateaffectslandscapethrougherosionandweatheringthe
distributionofplantsandanimals,andformationofsoil.Asaresult,it
determineswhatcropscanandcantbegrown,whatanimalscanandcant
liveinanarea,whatclothesmustbeworntocopewiththeweather,and
howhousesarebuilt.Winterfreezingandthawingmaychangetravel
patterns,aswaterwaysfreezeorfloodandpassesclose.Weatheralso
affectsavailablesports,likeskiing.Areallthesethingsconsistentwith
whatyousaytheclimateislikeinparticularareas?A:
Wherearemajormountainranges?A:Riversandlakes?A:Deserts?A:
Forests,tropicalandotherwise?A:Grasslandsandplains?A:
Ifthereareimaginaryanimals(dragons,unicorns,etc.),howdotheyfit
intotheecology?A:Whatdotheyeat?A:Howmuchhabitatdothey

require?A:Cantheyliveanywhere,ordotheypreferorneedspecific
kindsofclimateorterrain?A:Aretheyintelligentand/orcapableof
workingspells,talking,etc.?A:
C. Natural Resources
Whichareasarethemostfertilefarmland?A:Wherearemineral
resourceslocated?A:
Whichanimals,birds,fish,andotherwildlifearecommonlyfoundin
whichareas?A:Ifthereareimaginaryanimalssuchasdragons,wheredo
theylive?A:
Whichnaturalresources,ifany,havebeendepletedinwhichareasover
time?A:
Whichresources(e.g.,coal,oil,ironore,gold,diamonds,limestone,etc.)
areparticularlyabundant,andinwhichareas?A:Whicharescarce?A:
Arethereplaceswheretherearerichdepositsthathaventbeendiscovered
yet,orwheretheyhaventbeenfullyexploited?A:
Howmuchconflicthasbeenormightbecausedbytheseimbalancesin
resources?A:Howmuchactive,peacefultrade?A:
Whatwaterresourcesavailable,andforwhatuses(amillwheelrequires
flowingwater,i.e.,riverorstreamirrigationneedsalarge,dependable
watersourcelikealakeorlargeriveretc.)?A:
D. World History
Howfarbackarethererecordsortalesofhistoricalevents?A:How
widelyknownarethesestories?A:
Doaveragepeoplebelieveoldtales,ordotheydismisssomethathavea
basisinfact(e.g.,Troy)?A:
Howlonghavetherebeenpeopleonthisworld?A:Didtheyevolve,were
theycreatedbythegods,ordidtheymigratefromsomewhereelse?A:If
therearenonhumans,howlonghavetheybeenaroundandwheredid
theycomefrom?A:
Howsimilaristhehistoryandcultureofanalternateearthtorealhistory
andculture?A:Whyisitsimilar/different?A:
Wheredidcivilizationbegin?A:Whatdirectionsdiditspread?A:How
wasitsdevelopmentaffectedbythepresenceofmagic?A:Thepresence
ofnonhumanraces,ifany?A:Theactionsordirectinterventionsofthe
gods?A:
Whichpeoples/countries/raceshavetraditionallyfought,allied,traded,or
beenrivals?A:Wherearetherestillhardfeelingsaboutoldevents?A:
Whichpeoples/countries/raceshavebeeninconflictintherecentpast?A:
Why?A:Whenandwhywasthemostrecentwar?A:Whowon?A:
Whichpeoples/etc.areconsideredthemostcivilized?A:Whicharemost
technologicallyadvanced?A:Whicharemostmagicallyadvanced?A:
Leastadvanced?A:Why?A:
Isthereasingle,generallyacceptedcalendar(includingtime
measurements),ordodifferentcountriesorpeoplesorraceshavedifferent
ones?A:

Howmanylanguagesarethere?A:Whichonesarerelated(e.g.,the
Romancelanguages)andwhy?A:Whichlanguagesborrowwordsor
phrasesfromotherlanguages?A:Whichislikelytobemostwidely
spoken?A:
Isthereatradelanguagethatfacilitatescommercebetweencountries
thatdontspeakthesametongue?A:Isthereauniversallanguage
spokenbyeducatedornoblepersons,asLatinwasintheMiddleAges?A:
E. Specific Country(s) History
Howaccessibleisthisarea?A:Whatnaturalfeaturesmarktheborders?
A:Whoaretheneighboringcountries/peoplesandwhataretheylike?A:
Whydidpeoplesettleinthiscountryinthefirstplacestrategic
location,traderoute,watertransport,minerals,goodfarming,etc.?A:
Havethingschangedmuchsince,ordotheystilldependonwhatever
broughttheminthefirstplace?A:
Howdotheweaponsofthiscountrycomparewiththoseofsurrounding
citiesandcountries?A:Havetherebeenrecentinnovationsthatmayupset
thebalanceofpower,oriseveryonemoreorlessequal?A:
Whoaretherivalsorenemiesofthiscountry?A:Howclosearethey
physically?A:Howpowerful?A:
Whoaretheheroesandvillainsofeachcountryshistory(e.g.,
WashingtonandLincolnintheU.S.HenryVinEngland,etc.)?A:Why
aretheyheroes/villainsandwhatdothissayaboutthecountryandthe
peoplewhoadmirethem?A:
Howmanypeoplearethereinthiscountry?A:Howdoesthiscompare
withworldpopulation?A:Whatisconsideredasmalltown/large
town/cityintermsofnumberofpeople?A:
Howdiverseisthepopulationofthiscountryhowmanydifferentraces
(humanornonhuman),creeds,etc.normallyliveinvariouscitiesand
townsinthiscountry?A:Inwhatpercentages?A:
Ispopulationshiftingfromruraltourban,southtonorth,mountainsto
coast,etc.?A:Whyinvasion,plague,goldrush,etc.?A:Whateffects
hasthishadontheplacesbeingleft?A:Theplacesgainingpeople?A:
Ismagiclegalhere?A:Allmagic,oronlysometypes?A:Dolawsvary
widelyfromcountrytocountry,oristheattitudegenerallysimilar?A:
Whatdoesthiscountryimport?A:Export?A:Howimportantistradeto
theeconomy?A:Howiscurrencyexchangehandled,andbywhom?A:
Whatisthesystemofcoinage,andwhomintsit?A:
Whichpeoples/countries/raceshavebeeninconflictintherecentpast?A:
Why?A:Whenandwhywasthemostrecentwar?A:Whowon?A:
Whichpeoples/countries/racesfought,allied,traded,orweretraditional
rivals?A:Wherearetherestillhardfeelingsaboutoldevents?A:
Howmuchofthecountryisfarmland?A:Forest?A:Desert?A:
Mountains?A:Plains?A:
Whataretheprimarycrops(e.g.,potatoes,cotton,tobacco,coffee,rice,
peanuts,wheat,sugarcane,etc.)?A:Areanygrownmainlyforexport?A:

Whatcropscannotbegrownherebecauseofthesoil,climate,orforother
reasons?A:
Whatwaterresourcesavailable,andforwhatuses(amillwheelrequires
flowingwater,i.e.,riverorstreamirrigationneedsalarge,dependable
watersourcelikealakeorlargeriver:etc.)?A:
Whatwildanimals,actualorimaginary,liveinthisarea?A:Areanyof
thempotentiallyusefule.g.,forfur,whaleoil,hides,magical
ingredients,hatfeathers?A:
Whichanimals,actualorimaginary,arecommonlydomesticatedinthis
area?A:Whicharenthere,butareelsewhere?A:(Example:water
buffaloinIndiavs.oxeninEuropevs.camelsindesertareas.)A:
Howdomostofthecitizensmaketheirlivingfarming,fishing,trade,
manufacturing?A:Dononhumanstendtotakeupdifferenttradesfrom
humans?A:Aretheylegallylimitedtocertaintrades?A:
PeoplesandCustoms
A. General
Doaveragepeoplebelieveoldtales,ordotheydismisssomethathavea
basisinfact(e.g.,Troy)?A:
Dowildandrebelliousyoungpeopledressanydifferentlyfromanyone
else?A:Aretheyallowedto?A:
Howdomostpeoplemakealivinghere?A:
B. Customs
Doestheweatherorclimatecontributeanyhabitsorcustoms,suchasthe
midafternoonsiestainhotcountries?A:
Whatisconsideredanormalfamilyunit?A:Howextendedisanextended
family?A:Howimportantarefamilyconnectionsandresponsibilities?A:
Whataretheritesofpassageinthisculture?A:Aretheyformalized
rituals,suchasbeingdubbedaknight,oraretheyinformal?A:Arethey
differentformenandwomen?A:Fornobilityandpeasants?A:
Whatcustomssurroundabirthandtheintroductionofanewchildtothe
family?A:Isthemothersequesteredforsomeperiod?A:Isthechild?A:
Isthereaformalpresentationofthenewchildtoparents,grandparents,
overlord,priest?A:Isafeastandcelebrationdeclared,ordoeseveryone
keepalowprofiletokeepfromattractingdemonsorbadluck?A:
Whoisnormallypresentforbirths?A:Isitstrictlyamatterforwomen,or
aremeninvolved,oristheonlywomanpresenttheexpectantmother?A:
Whoraisesthechildren?A:Atwhatagedotheybegintobeeducatedor
trained?A:Bywhom?A:Aretheyconsideredminiadults?A:Dothey
dressdifferentlyfromadults?A:Ifso,whendotheychangetoadult
dress?A:
Whatcustomssurrounddeathandburial?A:Isthereaspecialclassof
people(doctors,priests,funeraldirectors,untouchables)whodealwith
deadbodies?A:Whatthingsmustbedoneandwhy(burnhairtofree
spirit,burnbodytopreventnecromancy,coinsoneyesforferryman,etc.)?
A:Arethedeadfeared,revered,orignored?A:

C.

Whatpersonalweaponsareavailabletoanyonewhocanaffordthem?A:
Aresomeconsideredfornoblesonlyeitherbycustomorbylaw?A:
Aretherelawsforbiddingcertainclassesfrombeingarmedatall?A:

Eating

Domenandwomen,parentsandchildren,servantsandmaster,eat
separately,ordoeseveryoneeattogether?A:Howisstatusdisplayedat
thetable(seatingaboveorbelowthesalt,nearorfarfromthehead,etc.)?
A:
Whatdishesareconsideredholidayfood?A:Whatfoods/drinksare
associatedwithparticularholidays,events(e.g.,funerals,weddings)or
timesoftheyear?A:
Whatdistinguishesaformal,highcourtdinnerfromanordinarymeal,
besidesquantityandvarietyoffood?A:Howdohighcourtmanners
differfromeverydayones?A:
Whateatingutensilsareused,ifany?A:Forks,eatingknife,spoons,
chopsticks?A:
Whatistheorderofatypicalupperclassmealdotheystartwithwine,
thenasweet,thenastew,thenasalad,ordotheybringeverythinginat
once?A:
Arespecialarrangementsnecessaryforentertainingguestsofdifferent
races/speciestallerchairsfordwarves,rawmeatforwerewolves,
perchesforharpies,etc.?A:Howdotheeatingcustomsofdifferentraces
reflecttheirculturesandbiology?A:Howdifficultdoesthismakesocial
interactionamongtheraces?A:
Issanitationgoodenoughforuntreatedwatertobesafetodrink?A:If
not,whatdopeopledrinkinstead?A:
Whatshapesaretables/eatingareas(round,oblong,square,rectangular,
etc.)?A:Whereistheplaceofhonorforaguest?A:Wheredothe
importantmembersofthehouseholdsit/recline/whatever?A:
Whatthings,whileedible,arenevereaten(whatsnotkosher)?A:Why?
A:Aresomecommonhumanfoodspoisonoustodwarvesorelves(orvice
versa)?A:
Whattypesoffoodorseasoningarecharacteristicofdifferentraces?A:
Differentcultures?A:Differentcountries?A:
D. Greeting and Meeting
Whenmeetingsomeone,howaretheygreetedwave,handshake,bow,
someothergesture?A:Howdidthegreetinggestureoriginate(example:
shakinghandstoproveonesweaponhandwasempty)?A:Istherea
specialIamnotarmedgestureforwizards?A:
Isthereadifferencebetweenthegreetingofferedtoanequalandthat
offeredtoasuperiororinferior?A:Isthereadifferencebetweenthe
greetingofferedamanorawoman?A:Human/nonhuman?A:
Isthereawayofchangingagreetinggesturetomakeitinsulting?A:
Howaretwopeoplewhohavenevermetnormallyintroducedtoeach
other?A:Whatistheorderofprecedencewhenthereareseveralpeopleof

differingsexorsocialstatuspresent,allofwhomneedtobeintroducedto
eachother?A:
Arethereclassesofpeople/beingswhoareneverintroducedtoother
classesofpeople/beings?A:Aretruenamessignificant,andifso,under
whatcircumstanceswouldsomeonebegivenanotherperson/beingstrue
name?A:
Aretherecustomsinvolvingthewayinwhichsomeoneisnamedwhen
beingintroduced(forexample:givingallofapersonsnamesandtitlesat
thefirstmeeting,butneverrepeatingthemafterward,sothathesalways
referredtoasGeorgeeventhoughhesintroducedastheDukeGeorge
EdwardCanterburyGordendelaSuisFoule,MarquisofHorsham,
WhitewaterandFramingham,EarlofSt.PetersClose,andVicountof
Abernathy)?A:
Isthereanydifferenceinthewayyougreetsomeoneyoualreadyknow,
comparedtogreetingastranger(ordoeseverybodyjustalwayshugor
shakehandsorwhatever)?A:Howdoessomeoneacknowledgeseeingan
acquaintanceatadistance(passingontheothersideofthestreet)bya
nod,tippingthehat,wave,smile,ornotatall?A:
E. Gestures
Whenmeetingsomeone,howaretheygreetedwave,handshake,bow,
someothergesture?A:Howdidthegreetinggestureoriginate(example:
shakinghandstoproveonesweaponhandwasempty)?A:
Aregesturesandbodylanguageinthissocietygenerallysubtleornot?A:
Dopeopletalkwiththeirhands,oristhatconsideredvulgar?A:
Isthereawayofchangingagreetinggesturetomakeitinsulting?A:
Whatisacomfortableandpolitespeakingdistanceforpeopleinthis
culture?A:Othercultures/countries/races?A:Howawarearepeopleof
thesedifferences?A:
Whatgesturesareinsulting?A:Whatdotheymean?A:Dosomegestures
differinmeaningdependingontheculture,race,ortime(example:the
AmericanVforvictorysign,whichbecamethepeacesign,andwhich
is/washighlyinsultinginEurope)?A:
Howdogesturesandbodylanguagedifferbetweencountries?A:Between
species?A:Aretherethingsthatdontmatterinoneareathataremortal
insultsinanother(eatingwiththelefthand,etc.)?A:
Whatarethewaysofshowingrespect(bowing,saluting,etc.)?A:To
whomisoneexpectedtoshowsuchrespectoneselders,superiorsin
rank,teachers,priests,etc.?A:
F. Visits
Aretherequestionsthatmustbeaskedoravoided(howsthefamily,
howsthebusiness,nevertalkpoliticsorreligion,etc.)?A:Arethere
topicsthatcanonlyberaisedbythehost?A:Theguest?A:
Howseriouslydoestheculturetaketheresponsibilitiesofhostandguest?
A:Whatrulesdefinewhensomeonebecomesahostorguest(e.g.,in
mideasterncountries,givingbreadandsalttosomeonemakestheperson

yourguestgivinga5coursemealwithoutbreadorsaltdoesnt)?A:
Whatthingsareconsideredcourteoustoofferaguest:food,reading
material,personalguardsorattendants,music/entertainment,apersonof
theoppositesextosleepwith?A:
Whatisconsideredacourteousresponsetoahostsoffer?A:Arethere
thingsitisconsideredrudetoaccept?A:Rudetoturndown?A:Rudeto
askfor?A:Rudenottoaskfor?A:
Whenaguestarrives,isfoodordrinkofferedimmediately,afteran
interval,oronlyonrequest?A:Isthereaparticularfoodordrinkthatis
customarytoofferanewlyarrivedguest?A:
Howdodifferenteatingcustomsofthevariousculturesandracesinteract
andconflict?A:Example:apersonfromaculturethatconsidersit
impolitetorefuseanofferoffoodbeingtheguestofsomeonewhose
cultureconsidersitimpolitetostopofferingfooduntiltheguestsays
when.A:
G. Language
Isthereatradelanguagethatfacilitatescommercebetweencountries
thatdontspeakthesametongue?A:Isthereauniversallanguage
spokenbyeducatedornoblepersons,asLatinwasintheMiddleAges?A:
Aresomeorallpeoplebilingual?A:Isthereacommonsecondlanguage
manypeopleknow?A:
Aretheresecretlanguagesorcodesknownonlybypriests,soldiers,
wizards,guildmembers,etc.?A:Whyweretheydeveloped?A:
Whatarethevariationsinspeechpatterns,syntax,andslangfromone
socialclasstoanother?A:Oneoccupationtoanother?A:Oneregionto
another?A:Oneracetoanother?A:
Whatareasdolocalslangphrasescomeoutof?A:(Example:inafishing
town,referringtogoodluckasagoodcatch,whilepeopleinafarming
townrefertoitasanunexpectedharvest.)Whatkindsofcolorfulturns
ofphrasedopeopleuse?A:
Whatthingsinthisculturewouldtheirlanguagehavemanyspecificwords
for(e.g.,Inuitlanguagesthathave14+wordsfordifferentkindsofsnow)?
A:Whatdothepeopleinthiscultureconsiderimportantenoughtoname?
A:Whatdoesthissayaboutthewaytheylookattheworld?A:
Whatthingswouldthepeopleofthisculturenothaveanamefor,orhave
onewordthatcoversnumerousvariations?A:Whatdotheyconsidertoo
unimportanttoname?A:Howdoesthisaffectthewaytheyseetheworld?
A:
Aretherewordsthatmustneverbespokenexceptatparticulartimes,in
ceremonies,orunderparticularcircumstances?A:Aretherewordsthat
mustnotbespokeninpolitecompany?A:Dothesewordsdifferfrom
culturetocultureorracetorace?A:
Whatwillpeopleswearabindingoathby?A:Whatdopeopleuseascurse
words?A:
Howmanylanguagesarethere?A:Whichonesarerelated(e.g.,the

Romancelanguages)andwhy?A:Whichlanguagesborrowwordsor
phrasesfromotherlanguages?A:Whichislikelytobemostwidely
spoken?A:
Aretheredifferentlanguagesfordifferentraces(dwarves,elves,etc.),or
islanguagebasedmoreongeographythanrace/species?A:Istherea
speciallanguageyouneedtolearninordertotalktodragonsorother
magicalbeasts?A:
Dowizardshaveaspeciallanguagethatisusedformagic?A:Ifso,where
dotheylearnit?A:Isitsafetochatinthislanguage,oriseverythingsaid
initautomaticallyaspell?A:Ifso,howcanitsafelybetaughttonew
students?A:
H. Ethics and Values
Whatwillpeopleswearabindingoathby?A:Whatdopeopleuseascurse
words?A:
Whatisthemostdesired/mostvaluablestuffinthissocietygold,
jewels,drugs,money,furs,reindeer,etc.?A:Whyisitdesired/valued?A:
Dodifferentracesvaluedifferentthings?A:Istherearace/culturefor
whomnonmaterialthings(information,time)arethemostvaluable
things?A:Howdidtheygetthatway?A:
Whatthingsareconsiderednormalandacceptableinthissocietythat
wouldnotbeconsiderednormaloracceptableinyours?A:(Examples:
dueling,drugs,openhomosexuality,polygamy,infanticide.)A:
Whatthingsareconsideredshockinginthissocietythatarenotconsidered
shockinginyourse.g.,showingawomansankles,eatinglefthanded,
readinginpublic?A:Whatwouldbethereactionofanordinaryperson
whoseessomeonedoingoneofthesethingstoturnaway,callthecops,
drawaswordandchallengetheoffendertoaduel,etc.?A:
Whataretheacceptablelimitstohonorand/orhonestyinthissociety?A:
Arewhiteliesacceptablesocially,orislyinginanyformconsidered
beyondthepall?A:Isthieveryanaccepted,ifdisreputable,occupation,or
isitacrime?A:
Isabindingoathunbreakablenomatterwhat,orcanyougetoutofitif
theotherpartyturnsouttobeevilscumorifyouwerentfullyinformed?
A:Whatisconsideredtherightthingtodoiftwooathscomeintoconflict
doyouhavetodecideasbestyoucan,holdtothemostrecentoath,
holdtotheoathtothemost/leastpowerfulperson,commitsuicide?A:
Whatareattitudestowardownership?A:Whatconstitutestheftand
whatcanbestolengems,gold,someonesgoodnameorreputation?A:
Arethievesindependentcriminals,membersofanillegalguild,business
peoplelicensedbylaw,orwhat?A:
Whoisconsideredacitizen,withtherightsandprivilegesthereof?A:
Whatarethoserightsandprivileges(voting,protectionfromthieves,the
righttoahearinginRome)andwhatresponsibilitiesgoalongwiththem
(juryduty,providingfundsorknightsforthelordsarmy?A:
Aretherecertainclassesofpeople(wizards,foreigners,children,peasants,

women)whohavefewerlegalrightsorlessrecoursethanfullcitizens?A:
Why?A:Aretheyconsideredmentallyormorallydeficient,adangerto
thestate,oristheresomeotherrationale?A:
Isthereagroupofpeoplewhodonothavefullrightsinthisculture?A:
Whynot?A:Aretheyconsideredmentallyormorallydeficient,adanger
tothestate,oristheresomeotherrational?A:
Whatarethecontroversialsubjectsinthisculture?A:Whatthingscanyou
startafriendlyargumentaboutinanybar?A:Whatthingswill
automaticallystartanunfriendlyargument?A:
Whatarethesocialtabooswhatthingsarenotdone,likewearinga
bathingsuittotheoffice?A:Whatthingsarenottalkedabout?A:What
wouldhappenifsomeonedid?A:Howdothesetaboosvaryamongthe
differentraces?A:
Whatarethebiggestsocialfauxpasburpingloudlyataformal
banquet,drawingsteelinthepresenceofaqueen/noble,askingadwarf
whetheritsmaleorfemale?A:Whatsubjectsoractionscause
embarrassmentordiscomfort?A:
Whatarethesocietysmoresregardingcourtship,marriageandfamily?A:
Ismarriageprimarilyacivilorareligiousinstitution?A:
Whoarethepersonsorgroupstowhichoneautomaticallyhasaduty
simplybybeingbornonesfamily,onestown/city,onescountry,
onesruler/president,thegods?A:Whatisthehierarchyofdutyamong
themisitconsideredmorenobletofollowyourmothersteachingorto
followyouremperorsorders?A:
Whatarethestandardsofbeautyforpeople?A:Paintingsandsculpture?
A:Clothesandfurniture?A:Howdotheydifferfromthestandardsin
yourculture(example:acountrywhichconsidersfatnessahighly
desirablebeautytrait)?A:Howdostandardofbeautyreflectthephysical
traitsofthevariousraces(examples:dwarvesmightconsiderexcessive
heightunattractivewerewolvesmightbeattractedbylongteethora
particularscent)?A:
Whoarethiscultureshistoricheroesandvillains(e.g.,Washingtonand
LincolnintheU.S.HenryVinEngland,etc.)?A:Whyaretheyadmired
asheroes/villainsandwhatdoesthissayaboutthepeoplewhoadmire
them?A:
Whatistheideallifethatpeopleaspireto?A:Dopeoplemostlywantto
retiretoalittlehouseinthecountry,buythemosttoys,serveinthe
army/navy?A:
Whatkindsofpeoplearetherebelsandoutcastsofthissociety?A:How
doessocietydealwiththem?A:Whatactionsorideaswillgetyoumade
anofficialoutcast/exile?A:Whathappenstopeoplewhodontfitthe
acceptedsocialorderdotheyhavetheirownsectionsoftown,orare
theyinvisible(inthecloset),ordotheygetkickedoutofthecountry
altogether?A:
Whoarethearbitersofethics(asopposedtolaw)?A:Howdidtheygetto

bearbiters?A:Whoarethesocialarbiters?A:Ditto,ditto.A:
Whichethical/moraldecisionsareconsideredtheprovinceofreligion,and
whicharenot?A:
Religion and the Gods
Howdovariousreligions,ifany,viewmagic?A:Doanyforbidit?A:
Whyorwhynot?A:Doanyrequirepriests/priestessestobemagicians?
A:Doanyforbidit?A:
Arethereactualgods/godlikebeings?A:Ifso,dotheytakeanactiverole
ina)thetemples,churches,andreligionsthatworshipthem,orb)thelives
ofeverydaypeople?A:Whyorwhynot?A:Howmanygodsarethere,
andisthereahierarchyamongthem?A:Whichonesaregoodorevil,or
isthismeaninglesswhenspeakingofgods?A:
Howdovariousreligionsviewnonbelievers?A:Foreigners?A:
Nonhumans?A:Whichsupportthestate/ruler/government,andwhichare
interestedmainlyinordinarypeople?A:
Whatcustomssurroundabirthandtheintroductionofanewchildtothe
family?A:Isthemothersequesteredforsomeperiod?A:Isthechild?A:
Isthereaformalpresentationofthenewchildtoparents,grandparents,
overlord,priest,thegods?A:Isafeastandcelebrationdeclared,ordoes
everyonekeepalowprofiletokeepfromattractingdemonsorbadluck?
A:
Whatcustomssurrounddeathandburial?A:Isthereaspecialclassof
people(doctors,priests,funeraldirectors,untouchables)whodealwith
deadbodies?A:Whatthingsmustbedoneandwhy(burnhairtofree
spirit,burnbodytopreventnecromancy,coinsoneyesforferryman,etc.)?
A:Arethedeadfeared,revered,orignored?A:
Isthereadifferencebetweenmiraclesandmagic?A:Ifso,howarethey
distinguished?A:
Istheretension,rivalry,oroutrighthostilitybetweenanyoftheactual
gods?A:Howdoesthisaffectchurchpolitics?A:Peopleseveryday
lives?A:
Wheredoesreligionfitintothissociety?A:Isthereastatechurch?A:Is
freedomofreligionthenorm?A:Dopeoplegenerallythinkofthe
temples/churchesasparasitesorasausefulpartofsociety?A:
Whichethical/moraldecisionsareconsideredtheprovinceofreligion,and
whicharenot?A:Dothegodscarehowpeoplebehave?A:Whyorwhy
not?A:
Ifthereareactual,demonstrablegods,whatpartdoesfaithplayintheir
worship?A:Whataretheirvariousriteslike,andwhy?A:Whatofferings
areconsideredgood,better,best?A:Arepeoplesupposedtopickoneor
moregodstoworshipandignoretheothers,ordoeseverybodyofficially
worshipeveryone?A:Howdopeopledecidewhomtoworship?A:How
dotheydecidewhichtempletobeaffiliatedwith?A:
Howmuchofapartdovariousreligionsandphilosophiesplayinpublic
andprivatelife?A:Arephilosophersandtheologiansconsidered

I.

ivorytoweracademics,ordotheydebateinthemarketplace,like
Socrates?A:Howmuchinfluencedotheirtheorieshaveontheway
peopleactuallybehave?A:
Arepriestsandphilosophersfulltimeworkers,ordotheyneeddayjobs?
A:Iftheyarefulltime,whosupportsthemthecongregation,awealthy
patron,thetemplesinvestmentfund,thegodtheyserve?A:
Whyarethegodsinterestedinpeople?A:AretheyliketheGreek
pantheon(quarrelsome,largerthanlifehumans),oraretheytranscendent
andincomprehensible?A:Dothegodshavelimitstowhattheycando?
A:Towhattheywilldo?A:Canthegodsmakemistakes?A:
Howdothevarioustemplesandphilosophiesexplaintheclassicproblem
ofevil?A:Dotheythinkbadthingsarealwaysajustpunishmentfor
sometransgression,acharacterbuildingexercise,theresultofanevil
antagonist(Satan,Loki)orjustsomethingthegodscantprevent?A:
J. Population
Howmanypeoplearethereinthiscountry?A:Howdoesthiscompare
withworldpopulation?A:Whatisconsideredasmalltown/large
town/cityintermsofnumberofpeople?A:
Howdiverseisthepopulationofthiscountryhowmanydifferentraces
(humanornonhuman),creeds,etc.normallyliveinvariouscitiesand
townsinthiscountry?A:Inwhatpercentages?A:
Ispopulationshiftingfromruraltourban,southtonorth,mountainsto
coast,etc.?A:Whyinvasion,plague,goldrush,jobopportunities,etc.?
A:Whateffectshasthishadontheplacesbeingleft?A:Theplaces
gainingpeople?A:
Giventhemagical/technologicallevelofthissociety,whatisan
appropriaterationoffarmersorfoodproducerstourbanresidents?A:If
farmproductionisbasedonmagic,howmanyurbanresidentsaregoingto
starveifthespellssupportingfarming(weather,landfertility,etc.)fail
suddenly?A:
Istheremuchimmigrationintooroutofvariouscountries?A:Why?A:
Toorfromwhatotherareas?A:
Whichgeographicalareasaremostheavilypopulated?A:Least?A:Are
certainareasorterrainsmorepopularwithcertainracesthatwithothers?
A:WhyA:
SocialOrganization
A. General
Whereisscientificand/ormagicalresearchdoneuniversities,private
labs,undertheauspicesoftheruler/government,etc.?A:
Doesitrequirealicensetobeawizard?A:Ifso,isitmorelikeadrivers
license(somethingnearlyeveryoneinourculturegetsuponcomingof
age)orlikeadoctorslicense(somethingonlyasmallpercentageofthe
populationwilleverget)?A:Whocertifieswizards:government,wizards
guild/AMA,localpriests?A:
Whatarethevariousranksandtitlesandproperformsofaddressforthe

aristocracy/nobility?A:Iseverybodymylordandmylady,orare
theremoredistinctions(yourgrace,yourhighness,yourmajesty,your
holiness)?A:
Whatoccupationsarerespected?A:Lookeddownon?A:Why?A:
Howmanylevelsarethereinthissociety:peasant,bourgeoisie,warrior,
noble?A:Howdifficultisittoriseorfallfromonesociallevelto
another?A:Howfirmarethedivisionsbetweensocialclassesisit
disgracefulforanobletoengageintradeorforawarriortohelpwiththe
harvest?A:
Howdifficultisittoriseorfallfromonesocialleveltoanother?A:How
muchsocialmobilityisthere?A:Howmuchdopeoplethinkthereis?A:
Whatarethestandardsofbeautyforpeople?A:Paintingsandsculpture?
A:Clothesandfurniture?A:Howdotheydifferfromthestandardsin
yourculture(example:acountrywhichconsidersfatnessahighly
desirablebeautytrait)?A:Howdostandardofbeautyreflectthephysical
traitsofthevariousraces(examples:dwarvesmightconsiderexcessive
heightunattractivewerewolvesmightbeattractedbylongteethora
particularscent)?A:
B. Government
Howhasthepresenceofmagicandmagiciansaffectedlawand
government?A:Arewizardsbarredfromcertainkindsofgovernmentjobs
oroffices?A:Dosomegovernmentjobsrequirethattheirholderbea
wizard?A:
Whatisthebasicstyleofgovernment:feudal,aristocratic,oligarchy,
absoluteruler,democracy,what?A:Whatformsareusedinneighboring
countries,andwhyaretheythesameordifferent?A:
Whatservicesdoesthegovernmentorheadofstateprovide:schools,
wells,courts,anarmytoprotectpeoplefromtheVikings?A:What
servicesareprovidedlocallyorprivately?A:
Whohastherighttolevytaxes?A:Forwhat?A:Onwhatorwhom?A:
Cantaxesbepaidinkind,ordocertainthingsrequiremoney?A:
Whoprovidessupportservicesfortheheadofstate?A:Whatarethey
called:KingsCounselors,CabinetMinisters,SecretaryofState,GoodOl
Girls?A:Aretheyhereditaryoffices,civilservants,appointees,military,
elected?A:
Istherelativepowerofacountryorrulerusuallymeasuredbythesizeof
itsarmy,thenumberandabilityofitswizards,ortheamountof
money/tradeflowingthroughit?A:
Whoisconsideredacitizen,withtherightsandprivilegesthereof?A:
Whatarethoserightsandprivileges(voting,protectionfromthieves,the
righttoahearinginRome)andwhatresponsibilitiesgoalongwiththem
(juryduty,providingfundsorknightsforthelordsarmy?A:
Aretherecertainclassesofpeople(wizards,foreigners,children,peasants,
women)whohavefewerlegalrightsorlessrecoursethanfullcitizens?A:
Why?A:Aretheyconsideredmentallyormorallydeficient,adangerto

thestate,oristheresomeotherrationale?A:
Whataretheeasiest/mostcommonwaystoadvanceinstatusamass
moremoney,marrywell,gettherulerseye,etc.?A:Howmuch
resistanceistheretosomeoneadvancinginsocialstatus?A:
Whowilltakeoverrunningthegovernmentifthecurrentheadofstateis
incapacitated?A:Howisthisdetermined?A:Isthereanheirapparent
(eitheractualorpolitical)?A:Whathappensiftheheirisaminor?A:
Whogivesorders?A:Howaretheypicked?A:
Whoisresponsibleforprotectingtheheadofstate?A:Hispersonalguard,
theSecretService,anelitegroupaffiliatedwiththeregularmilitary?A:
Whatsafeguardshavetheygotagainstassassins,poisoning,directassault,
magicalattack?A:
Whocangiveorders(tomilitary,totaxcollectors,toservants,toordinary
folksonthestreet)?A:Howaresuchpeoplechosen?A:
Whoisresponsibleforcoinage:theruler,localbarons,someoneelse
(merchantguilds)?A:Aretheregenerallyacceptablestandards?A:How
easy/commoniscounterfeiting?A:
Isthereanorganizedsystemofeducation?A:Ifso,whoprovidesit:
government,churches,privatepersons?A:Howisitsupported?A:
Whocancallupmenforanarmy,andhow?A:Doestheruleraskthe
nobilityformen,whointurndrafttheirpeasants,orcantherulergo
straighttothebottom?A:
Howmuchformalspyingandintelligencegatheringisnormallydoneby
governments?A:Themilitary?A:Merchantguildsandwealthy
tradesmen?A:Arethereactualorganizations,orisspyingdoneby
diplomatsand/orfreelanceagents?A:Howeffectiveisitcurrently?A:
Dorelationsbetweencountriesdependmainlyontherelationsbetween
theheadsofstate,orcantworulershateeachothersgutswithoutbeing
abletojustdeclarewaranddragtheircountriesintoit?A:
Aretheretimeswhenpeopleareexpectedtofast,orfeast(e.g.,before
solstice,afterthebirthofachild,duringLentorRamadan,afterthedeath
ofaruler,etc.)?A:Arethereoccasionswhentherulerisexpectedto
provideacelebrationorspectacleforthepeopletoenjoy,(e.g.,theRoman
gladiatorialgames)?A:
C. Politics
Ismagicaprofession,anart,orjustajob?A:Whatisthestatusaccorded
tomagiciansinthissociety?A:Aretheyforbiddenovertpoliticalaction,
orarewizardsandthewizardsguildkneedeepincourtintrigue?A:
Aremagiciansaforceinpolitics,oraretheyaboveit?A:Arethere
nationalpoliticsthatrevolvearoundmagic/wizards(i.e.,tryingtooutlaw,
protect,orpromotecertainkindsofmagic,tryingtodraftwizardsintoa
rulersarmy,licensingofmagicians,etc.)?A:Dowizardshavealobby?
A:Dotheyneedone?A:
Istheretension,rivalry,oroutrighthostilitybetweenanyoftheactual
gods?A:Howdoesthisaffectchurchpolitics?A:Peopleseveryday

lives?A:
Doestheleveloftechnologicaladvancementmatchthelevelofsocialand
politicaladvancement?A:
Istherelativepowerofacountryorrulerusuallymeasuredbythesizeof
itsarmy,thenumberandabilityofitswizards,ortheamountof
money/tradeflowingthroughit?A:
Whataretheeasiest/mostcommonwaystoadvanceinstatusamass
moremoney,marrywell,gettherulerseye,etc.?A:Howmuch
resistanceistheretosomeoneadvancinginsocialstatus?A:
Whatarethemajorpoliticalfactionsatpresent?A:Howlonghavethey
beenaround?A:Whichfactionsareallies,whichenemies?A:Arethere
anypotentialnewforcesonthepoliticalscene(e.g.,arisingmiddleclass,
auniversitygainingunexpectedpowerbecauseofcertainmagical
discoveries,etc.)
Whatarethecontroversialpoliticalissuesofthisday/time/country?A:
Whatpositionsontheseissuesareconsideredconservative?A:Liberal?
A:Unthinkable?A:
Howmuchinfluencedospecialinterestgroupssuchasmerchants,
wizards,orvariousreligions,haveoncourtpolitics?A:Howdothey
exercisetheirinfluenceindirectly(bytalkingnobilityorcouncil
membersintotakingtheirsides)ordirectly(bybribery,coercion,having
theirownrepresentativesonthecouncil)?A:
Arethereanyshakypoliticalalliancesbetweendisparategroups?A:Why
weretheyformed?A:Howlongisitlikelytobebeforetheyfallapart?A:
Whentheydo,whatwilltheeffectsbe?A:
Whatancientrivalriesandhatredsstillaffectcurrentattitudesandpolitical
positions(examples:ScottishandWelshseparatistgroupsCatholicsvs.
Protestantsvs.Muslimsdwarvesvs.elvesHatfieldsvs.McCoys)?A:
Whatkindsofpeoplearelikelytofaceprejudice:dwarves,werewolves,
merchants,women,undertakers?A:Isthisinstitutionalized(i.e.,amatter
oflaw)orisitmostlyamatterofpublicattitude?A:Istherulerpowerful
enoughtodefythisprejudiceandappointadwarfasChiefCounciloror
SecretaryofDefenseandmakeitwork?A:
Whowilltakeoverrunningthegovernmentifthecurrentheadofstateis
incapacitated?A:Howisthisdetermined?A:Isthereanheirapparent
(eitheractualorpolitical)?A:Whathappensiftheheirisaminor?A:
Aretherepeoplewhohavegreatinfluenceongovernment/politics,but
whodonotholdanyofficialposition?A:Whoarethey?A:Whydothey
haveinfluence?A:Isthisconsideredanormalthing,orabadthing?A:
D. Crime and the Legal System
Howhasthepresenceofmagicandmagiciansaffectedlawand
government?A:Arewizardsbarredfromcertainkindsofgovernmentjobs
oroffices(judge,jury,police)?A:Dosomegovernmentjobsrequirethat
theirholderbeawizard?A:
Whatareconsiderednormalandlegalwaysofgatheringevidenceand

determiningguilt?A:Istortureallowed?A:Arearbitraryjudgmentsby
thelordorlandownerallowed,oristhereanindependentstandardof
justice?A:
Whatpersonalweaponsareavailabletoanyonewhocanaffordthem?A:
Aresomeconsideredfornoblesonlyeitherbycustomorbylaw?A:
Aretherelawsforbiddingcertainclassesfrombeingarmedatall?A:Are
therelawsrequiringcertainclassestolearnparticularweaponskills,as
Englandforsomecenturiesrequiredyeomentobeproficientwiththe
longbow?A:
Isforensicmagicpossible?A:Commonlyused?A:Usedonlyforcertain
typesofcrimes(andifso,what)?A:Aretheresultsofforensicspells
admissibleincourtasevidence?A:Isitsomethinganywizardcando,or
doyouhavetospecialize?A:
Arecertainspells(asopposedtomagicgenerally)illegal?A:Why
becauseoftheeffectofthespell,orbecauseoftheingredientsor
proceduresneededtocastit,orwhat?A:Ifso,howwouldacriminal
magicianbedetected?A:Apprehended?A:Punished?A:Iscatchingand
punishingillegalmagicianstheresponsibilityofthemagiciansguild,or
dotheordinarycourtshavetohandleit?A:
Arethereseparatecivilandcriminalcourts?A:Humanandnonhuman
courts?A:Isthereaseparatecourtorprocedureformagicalcrimes?A:
Whatisdifferentabouteachtypeofcourt?A:Arejudgesorothercourt
officialsrequired/forbiddentoknowmagic?A:Isevidenceobtainedby
magicacceptableincourt?A:Isevidenceobtainedbymagicconsidered
morereliableorlessreliablethanphysicalevidenceoreyewitness
accounts?A:
Whatthingsareconsideredtrulyseriouscrimesandwhy?A:(E.g.,ina
tradeorientedculture,counterfeitingmightbeadeathpenaltycrime,
whileinaplacewherelifeischeap,murdermightbesomethingyoupaya
smallfinefor.)
Whatarethenormalpunishmentsforseriousvs.minorcrimes?A:Are
thereprisons,orarepeoplepunishedandreleased?A:Aretheredegrees
ofpunishmentbrandingvs.cuttingoffearsvs.cuttingoffahandvs.
decapitationordotheyjusthangeverybody?A:
Whoisresponsibleforcatchingcriminals?A:Whopaysthe
crookcatcherstheruler,thecitygovernment,aconsortiumof
merchants,somebodyelse?A:Howaretheyorganizedinto
independentpoliceprecincts,orintooverlappingdistricts,orjust
accordingtowhoeverwantstohirethem?A:Aretheyfulltime,parttime,
orvolunteers?A:Privateorpublic?A:Whatsortoffacilitiesdothey
have?A:Whatarmsaretheallowedtocarry?A:
Aretherelawyersoradvocates?A:Whocanaffordthem?A:Who
trains/certifiesthem?A:
Arepeopleguiltyuntilproveninnocent,innocentuntilprovenguilty,or
doesitdependonthemoodthelordisinwhentheybringthecasebefore

him?A:
Aretherejudgesotherthantheruler,lord,orlandowner?A:Ifso,howare
theychosen,howaretheypaid,andwhopaysthem?A:Areappeals
possible,andifso,towhom?A:Howoftenareoutlyingareaslikelytosee
ajudge?A:Ismobjusticecommonoruncommon?A:Approvedofor
disapprovedof?A:
Aretheresumptuarylawsregulatingwhatdifferentclasses/racesmay
wear?A:Dojudgesandlawyerswearspecialclothes(robes,wigs)to
indicatetheircalling?A:
Arewizardsaboveorbelowthelawi.e.,dotheyhavefullrightsas
citizens,norights,orcantheydoastheylikewithoutregardtoanyone
elsesrights?A:
Arehighwaymen,muggers,andpiratescommonorrare?A:Whatsortsof
crimesistheaveragecitizenlikelytorunacrossduringhis/herlifetime?
A:
Whocanmakeorrepeallawsagroup(anelectedSenate,anappointed
Council,oranhereditaryHouseofLords),oronlytherulerorheadof
state?A:Howmuchcanthenobility,middleclasstradesmen,etc.
influencethelawsthataremade?A:
Howareallegedcriminalstreatedbeforeandaftertheirconvictions?A:
Dothepolice/military/cityguardmakeapracticeofroughingupsuspects,
oristhisfrownedupon?A:
E. Foreign Relations
Doesthiscountryhaveformalrelationshipswithothercountries?A:Ifso,
whocanbeanambassador?A:Aretherestandingembassiesand
consulates,orarespecialenvoyssentonlywhensomethingcomesup?A:
Howaretreatiesarranged?A:Arethereanysignificantonescurrentlyin
forceorcomingupforsigning?A:
Howmuchdoofficialattitudestowardothercountriesaffectcommerce
andtrade?A:Domerchantsprettymuchignoretensionsbetween
governmentaslongastheycanmakeaprofit,orwillthisgettheminto
trouble?A:ArethereCustomsinspectorsortheirequivalentsatborder
crossings?A:Istheexport/importofsome
technologies/magics/commoditiesregulatedbythegovernment,orby
nongovernmentalcartels?A:Howdoesthisaffectpoliticalrelationships
betweencountries?A:
Howmuchformalspyingandintelligencegatheringisnormallydoneby
governments?A:Themilitary?A:Merchantguildsandwealthy
tradesmen?A:Arethereactualorganizations,orisspyingdoneby
diplomatsand/orfreelanceagents?A:Howeffectiveisitcurrently?A:
Whichcountries/racesaretraditionalallies?A:Whicharetraditional
rivals?A:Howdothesetraditionsaffectpresentdayrelationsbetween
countriesandraces?A:
Whichheadsofstatearerelatedbybloodormarriage,andhowimportant
isthisindeterminingforeignpolicy?A:

F.

Waging War
Whichpeoples/countries/raceshavebeeninconflictintherecentpast?A:
Why?A:Whenandwhywasthemostrecentwar?A:Whowon?A:Who
isstillmadaboutthat?A:
Whatmajorweaponsofwarareavailable(e.g.,siegetowers,catapults,
cannon,Abombs)?A:
Howmuchhasthepresenceofmagicaffectedstrategyandtacticsin
general?A:Doarmycommandershaveunusualformationsortechniques
todealwithvariousmagicalattacks?A:Howcanmagicbeusedaspartof
abattleplan,givenvariouslevelsoftechnology(example:gettinga
weathermagiciantomakeitrainsothatenemycannonswillbeharderto
maneuverinthemud)?A:
Ismagicusedprimarilyforintelligencegathering(spellsofinvisibility,
scrying,etc.),oraretherespellsthatareofuseonthebattlefield
(summoningademontoattacktheenemy,castingfirestormsatthem,
etc.)?A:Ifbattlefieldmagicispossible,howcanitbedefendedagainst?
A:
Howarearmiesusuallystructured?A:Isthereaformal,independent
commandstructure,oriseverybodyofficiallyunderthecommandof
whoeverbroughtthemtojointherulersarmy,orwhat?A:Ifthereisa
formalstructure,whatarethevariousranksandtitlesused?A:
Isweaponusagerestrictedaccordingtosocialclass,suchasonlyknights
beingallowedtouseswordandarmor,yeomenusingbowsandstaffs,
peasantsusingwhateverscythes,hammers,etc.areavailable?A:Are
thererestrictions,eitherlegal,customary,orbiological,onthetypesof
weaponsdifferentracesormagicalbeingscanuse(e.g.,elvesnotbeing
abletowieldweaponsmadeofcoldiron)?A:
Arebattlefieldcommissionsorknighthoodspossibleduringwartime,or
mustsuchpromotionswaitonformalceremonies?A:Donormalsocial
restrictionsapplyduringtimesofwar,oriseveryoneequalonthe
battlefield?A:
Whocancallupmenforanarmy,andhow?A:Doestheruleraskthe
nobilityformen,whointurndrafttheirpeasants,orcantherulergo
straighttothebottom?A:
Arethereprofessionalsoldiers/mercenaries?A:Isacareerinthearmy
possible,orwouldyouhavetobecomeamercenaryorsellswordinorder
tomakealivingasasoldier?A:Doesthearmyacceptvolunteers,oronly
draftees?A:Canyourisetoofficerlevelbydisplayingcourageandmerit
onthebattlefield,orareofficerpositionsreservedforaparticulartypeof
persononlypeoplewhoboughtcommissions,peoplewhograduated
frommilitaryschool,sonsoffamouswarriors,etc.?A:
Howlargeisatypicalarmy?A:Whatpercentageofthesoldiersinitwill
betrained(knights,professionalsoldiers,guards,mercenaries)andwhat
percentagewillbeuntrainedrecruits?A:Arerecruitsgiventraining,orare
theyexpectedtolearnonthejob(i.e.,inbattle)?A:

Howisthearmysupplied?A:Aresoldiersallowedtoliveoffthe
peasantry,ordotheypayforwhattheytake?A:Whathappensifthe
supplycaravangetslostorcaptured?A:Howaresupplieshandledduring
longcampaigns?A:Howmanydaysworthofsuppliescanthearmyhaul
alongwiththem?A:(Ref.AlexandertheGreatandtheLogisticsofthe
MacedonianArmyforthemathonhowmuchahorsecancarry,howmuch
itneedstoeat,etc.)
Whataretheacceptedconventionsofmakingwar(e.g.,onlyfightin
winterwhennobodyisbusywithcropsdontmakewaronciviliansonly
certainkindsofweaponsareavailable,etc.)?A:Dotheydifferfromrace
torace?A:
Howdoesthepresenceofnonhumans(dwarves,vampires,etc.)affect
strategy,tactics,andbattlesgenerally?A:Arespecialweaponsrequiredif
anarmyisfacingcertainkindsofnonhumanarmies?A:Howcould
nonhumansoldiersturntheirphysicaldifferencesfromhumanstotheir
advantage?A:
Areparticularnonhumanracestraditionallybetterwithcertainweapons
(e.g.,dwarveswithaxes,elveswithbows)?A:Whybecausetheyhave
greaterstrength,bettereyesight,moremanualdexterity,etc.?A:
Dorelationsbetweencountriesdependmainlyontherelationsbetween
theheadsofstate,orcantworulershateeachothersgutswithoutbeing
abletojustdeclarewaranddragtheircountriesintoit?A:
Iftheresalongtermwarinprogress,howhasthehomefrontbeen
affected?A:Arepeoplebeingdraftedmuchyounger/olderthantheyused
tobe?A:Havepeoplebeenforcedtostepintonontraditionalroles
peasantsmanagingabusiness,womenshoeinghorses,childrenmaking
bullets,etc.?A:Howhavethesechangesaffectedsociety?A:Howwill
theyaffectrelationshipsbetweenraces/clans/sexes/socialclasseswhenthe
warisover?A:
Isthearmyintegrated(i.e.,men,women,elves,dwarves,purplepeople,
andgreenones,allservingtogether)?A:Howdoesthisaffectbattle
formations?A:Strategies?A:Arecertainracesorgroupsisolatedin
particularunits?A:Ifso,arethoseunitsconsideredelitetroopsorthe
mostexpendablesoldiersonthebattlefield?A:Howdotheseattitudes
affectstrategy?A:
Hasscienceormagicbeenadvancedingeneralbyspecificdevelopments
inthefieldsofweaponry,tactics,orstrategy?A:
Aretherenaturalorimposedlimitationsprohibitingthedevelopmentor
useofcertaintypesofweapons(e.g.,onlymusclepoweredweapons
becausethelawsofphysicsinthisworlddontallowthecombustionof
gunpowder)?A:
Towhatdegreehastechnologychangedthefaceofwar?A:Arethere
internalcombustionenginesuseableforlargetroopmovements,orsteam
poweredships?A:
G. Weapons

Howdotheweaponsofthiscountrycomparewiththoseofsurrounding
citiesandcountries?A:Havetherebeenrecentinnovationsthatmayupset
thebalanceofpower,oriseveryonemoreorlessequal?A:
Aremagicalweaponsavailable?A:Canmagicbeusedinwarfare?A:In
whatways?A:Arespellsfastenoughtobeusefulinhandtohand
combat,orismagicmoreofasiegeweapon,usedonlyforlong,slow
things?A:
Howhasthepresenceofmagicaffectedweaponstechnology?A:Can
magicmakeweaponsmoreeffective?A:Doyouhavetodoanything
specialtowalls,armor,orweaponstomakethembetterabletoresist
enemyspells?A:
Howmuchhasthepresenceofmagicaffectedstrategyandtacticsin
general?A:Ismagicusedprimarilyforintelligencegathering(spellsof
invisibility,scrying,etc.),oraretherespellsthatareofuseonthe
battlefield(summoningademontoattacktheenemy,castingfirestormsat
them,etc.)?A:Ifbattlefieldmagicispossible,howcanitbedefended
against?A:
Howhasthepresenceofmagicaffectedweaponstechnology?A:Canan
ordinary,nonweapontypeobjectbeenchantedtomakeitextremely
lethal(theFryingPanofDeath)orwillthisworkproperlyonlyonthings
thatarealreadyweapons?A:Canordinaryobjectsbeenchantedtomake
them(ortheiruser)supremelygoodatsomething(theFryingPanof
UltimateGourmetCooking,theCombofNoBadHairDaysEver)?A:
Howcommonandusefularesuchenchantments?A:
Whatpersonalweaponsareavailabletoanyonewhocanaffordthem?A:
Aresomeconsideredfornoblesonlyeitherbycustomorbylaw?A:
Aretherelawsforbiddingcertainclassesfrombeingarmedatall?A:
Whatisthelevelofweaponstechnology?A:Arethereguns,andifso,
howsophisticated(flintlock,matchlock,rifle,Uzi)?A:
Whatmajorweaponsofwarareavailable(e.g.,siegetowers,catapults,
cannon,Abombs)?A:
Whatweaponsandarmorarestandardforarmies?A:Mercenaries?A:
Nobility?A:Youraveragepeasanttryingtodefendhis/herhome?A:
Areweapons,suchasswordsorpistols,astandardpartofdressforany/all
segmentsofsociety?A:
Whataretheacceptedconventionsofmakingwar(e.g.,onlyfightin
winterwhennobodyisbusywithcropsdontmakewaronciviliansonly
certainkindsofweaponsareavailable,etc.)?A:
Commerce,Trade,andPublicLife
A. General
Whichpeoples/countries/racesfought,allied,traded,orweretraditional
rivals?A:Wherearetherestillhardfeelingsaboutoldevents?A:
Isthereatradelanguagethatfacilitatescommercebetweencountries
thatdontspeakthesametongue?A:Isthereauniversallanguage
spokenbyeducatedornoblepersons,asLatinwasintheMiddleAges?A:

Whatdoesthiscountryimport?A:Export?A:Howimportantistradeto
theeconomy?A:Howiscurrencyexchangehandled,andbywhom?A:
Whydidpeoplesettleinthiscountryinthefirstplacestrategic
location,traderoute,watertransport,minerals,goodfarming,etc.?A:
Havethingschangedmuchsince,ordotheystilldependonwhatever
broughttheminthefirstplace?A:
Howmuchdoofficialattitudestowardothercountriesaffectcommerce
andtrade?A:Domerchantsprettymuchignoretensionsbetween
governmentaslongastheycanmakeaprofit,orwillthisgettheminto
trouble?A:ArethereCustomsinspectorsortheirequivalentsatborder
crossings?A:Istheexport/importofsome
technologies/magics/commoditiesregulatedbythegovernment,orby
nongovernmentalcartels?A:Howdoesthisaffectpoliticalrelationships
betweencountries?A:
B. Business and Industry
Howisbusinessorganized?A:Aretheretradeunions?A:Guild
structures?A:Multistatecorporations?A:Internationalcartels?A:
Arepeopleabletocrosscraft,I.e.,learnorperformdifferenttrades?A:
Doescrosscraftingrequireguildpermission,awritefromanoverlord,or
isitautomaticallyguaranteedbylaw?A:Howstrictarecraftrestrictions
arecarpenterstheonlypeopleallowedtobuildhouses?A:
Whattypesoftradeswouldberepresentedinasmalltown?A:A
middlesizedtown?A:Alargecity?A:
Iscurrencyandcoinagestandardized,oristhereasystemofexchange?A:
Whataretypicaldenominations?A:Whattypesofcurrencyisatraveler
ormerchantlikelytocarryonatrip?A:Whataredifferentcoinscalled,
andwhataretheyworth?A:
Areindustrialprocesses(e.g.,swordmaking,weaving,etc.)considered
tradesecrets,oraretheycommonknowledge?A:
Whatistheprocessayoungpersongoesthroughtoenteracraftortrade?
A:Anapprenticeship?A:Fouryearsofcollege?A:Arethecraft
requirementsforvariousskillranks(suchasapprentice,journeyman,
master,ormedstudent,intern,doctor,specialist)standardized,ordoes
rankdependmoreonthegoodfavorofamastercraftsmanthanitdoeson
skill?A:
Dodifferentregions/citiesspecializeinspecificcrafts,processes,or
products(examples:Damascussteel,Bordeauxwines,Chinesesilk,
Wisconsincheese)?A:Dodifferentracesspecialize?A:
Whatregulations,ifany,hasthegovernment/rulerplacedonbusiness
practices?A:Arethereantimonopolylaws?A:Antipollution?A:Are
therestandardizedsystemsofweightsandmeasures,ordoesamerchant
havetospecifyaLondonbushelofgrainratherthanaYorkbushel?
A:Howdodifferingsystemsaffectshippingandtrade?A:
Areanynewindustriesdeveloping?A:Whicholdonesdotheycompete
withormakeobsolete?A:

Howarerecordskepttallysticks,parchment,claytablets,beads?A:
Isthereamerchantclass?A:Wheredotheyfitinsociety?A:Arethere
tradingguilds?A:Ifso,howaretheyorganized?A:Howmuchpowerdo
theyhavetocontroltrade?A:Howmuchinfightingisthereamongthem?
A:
Aretheretradingorganizationsthattranscendcountries(liketheHanseatic
League)?A:Howlargeapresencedotheyhavelocally?A:
Isthisamoneybasedeconomy,ormostlybarter?A:
Whatgoodsarecommonlyavailableinsmalltownmarkets?A:Inlarge
towns?A:Incities?A:Howdogoodsgettomarket?A:
Whatindustriesmining,fishing,shipbuilding,lumber,farming,
manufacturing,etc.areimportant,andinwhichareas?A:Which
dependonmaterialsfromotherareas(asshipbuildingonwood,or
weavingonwool)?A:Whathappensifsuppliesaredisrupted?A:
Whoisresponsibleforcoinage:theruler,localbarons,someoneelse
(merchantguilds)?A:Aretheregenerallyacceptablestandards?A:How
easy/commoniscounterfeiting?A:
Howmuchsmugglingisthere?A:Ofwhat,fromortowhere?A:
C. Transportation and Communication
Whatarethecommondomesticatedanimalsusedfortransportationat
variouslevelsofsocietye.g.,oxen,horses,donkeys,camels,etc.?A:
Aretheremagicalmeansoftransportation(teleportspells,magiccarpets,
dragonriding)?A:Howdotheycompareinspeed,safetyandexpenseto
nonmagicalmeans?A:Arethereanydrawbackstomagicaltravel(for
example,teleportsickness)?A:Howcommonlyaretheyused,andfor
whatpurposes(industrialshippingvs.travelforfun)?A:
Fortravelingshortdistanceswithinacity,whatarethealternatives?A:
Canpeoplehireacab,alitter,arickshaw,ordotheyhavetowalkorrely
ontheirownservantsorhorses?A:
Howaremessagessentwhennecessary?A:Isthereapublic/privatepostal
system,ordoeseveryoneofimportancehavetosendmessengers?A:How
fastcannewsgetfromAtoB?A:
Howavailableiswatertransportation?A:Howreliable?A:How
dangerous?A:Howexpensive?A:
Howcommonistravel(foranyreason)?A:Doestheconceptoftravelto
seetheworldorforfun,evenexist?A:Howdangerousistravel?A:How
largeagroupisconsideredsafe?A:Howmuchtrafficisthereinsideand
outsidethemaincities?A:Whichareasarebest/worst?A:
Whatisthefastestmeansoftravelinglongdistancesoverland?A:Over
water?A:Whichmethodsaresafest?A:
Whatistransportationlike?A:Aretheregoodroads?A:Whobuiltthem?
A:Whoisresponsibleformaintainingthem?A:
Wherewouldatravelerstayatnight?A:Arethereenoughtravelersto
supportinns,ordopeoplehavetostayatsomeequivalentofmedieval
monasteries?A:

Aresomeclassesofpeople(slaves,peasants)notexpectedtotravelatall?
A:Aresome(heralds,messengers)expectedtotravelconstantly?A:
Howdopeoplefindoutwhatishappeningintheworldrumor,town
crier,newspapers,TVandradio?A:Howslantedisthenewstheygetthis
way,andinwhatdirection?A:Istherefreedomofthepress?A:Ifnot,
whocontrols/censorsitandbywhatmeans?A:
Howarebooksproduced?A:Aretheycommon(hastheprintingpress
beeninvented)oraretheyrare,valuable,expensive,handwrittenobjects?
A:Ifthelatter,whohasthetimeandskilltoproducethem?A:
Wherearethegreatlibrariesorcollectionsofbooks/scrolls/manuscripts?
A:Howaccessiblearetheytoscholars,wizards,thegeneralpublic?A:
Whosupportsthem?A:
D. Science and Technology
Istheleveloftechnologyinthissocietycomparabletothatofancient
Rome,theMiddleAges,theRenaissance,theIndustrialRevolution,what?
A:
Whatimportantinventionsoradvanceshavebeenmade(thewheel,
gunpowder,printing,flushtoilets)?A:Haveanyofthemreachedthepoint
ofaffectingthedailylifeoftheaverageperson,orareflushtoiletsa
luxuryforthenobilityonly?A:
Whatinventionsoradvanceshavenotbeenmadethatyouwouldnormally
expecttoseeatthisstageoftechnologicaldevelopment?A:Whichones
areabouttobemade?A:
Howmuchisknownaboutthelawsofnature,physics,andmagic?A:
Howmuchofwhatiscommonlyknowniswrong(e.g.,Aristotlesideas
abouthumananatomy,whichwerewrongbutacceptedforcenturies)?A:
Arethelawsofnatureandphysicsactuallydifferentinthisworld,orare
theythesameasinreallife?A:Howdoesmagicfitin?A:Howdo
magicalbeastsfitin?A:
Whereisscientificand/ormagicalresearchdoneuniversities,private
labs,undertheauspicesoftheruler/government,etc.?A:
Inwhatareasmightmagicreplacetechnology,andthussuppressits
development(example:ifaspelltokeepfoodcoldiseasyandcheap,
theresnoneedtoinventrefrigerators)?A:Inwhatareasmightmagic
causemorerapidtechnologicalorscientificdevelopment(example:
commonuseofcrystalballsmightleadsomeonetothinkofinventingthe
lensorthetelescopesooner)?A:
E. Medicine
Whatcustomssurrounddeathandburial?A:Isthereaspecialclassof
people(doctors,priests,funeraldirectors,untouchables)whodealwith
deadbodies?A:Whatthingsmustbedoneandwhy(burnhairtofree
spirit,burnbodytopreventnecromancy,coinsoneyesforferryman,etc.)?
A:Arethedeadfeared,revered,orignored?A:
Howaccurateisthediagnosticprocess?A:Dohealershavewaysof
tellingtwodiseaseswithsimilarsymptomsapart?A:Dotheydependon

standardphysicalmedicaltestsreflexes,temperature,contractedpupils
ordotheynormallyusespellsfordiagnosis?A:
Howexpensiveisahealer?A:Howavailablearesuchservicestoordinary
people?A:
Howmuchisknownaboutanatomy,physiology,pathology,etc.?A:Are
treatmentsbasedonpurelypracticalexperience(Weknowthisworksbut
wedontknowwhy),ordohealersunderstandatleastsomeofwhatthey
aredoing?A:
Howmuchtrainingdoesahealernormallyget?A:Where?A:From
whom?A:
Ishealinggenerallyamagicalprocess?A:Ifso,howdoesthemagical
healingtalentwork?A:Doesamagicalhealerhavetoconsciouslydirect
thehealingprocess(meaningthatlotsofknowledgeofanatomy,etc.,
wouldberequired),ordoesmagicalhealingsimplyspeedupthenormal,
unconscioushealingprocessinthepatient?A:Istheremorethanonekind
ofmagicalhealer(astherearesurgeons,eyedoctors,etc.)?A:Arethere
bothmagicalandnonmagicalhealers,andifso,aretheyrivalsorsimply
differentspecialties?A:
Isthereareliablemethodofbirthcontrol?A:Whonormallyhandles
birthsmidwivesordoctors?A:Whatisthemortalityrateforpregnant
ladies,newmothers,andchildren?A:
Whatlevelismedicineat?A:Whoarethehealers?A:Doyouhaveto
haveatalenttoheal,orjusttraining?A:Whotrainshealers,herbalists,
apothecaries,surgeons,magicalvs.nonmagicalhealers,etc.?A:
Howmuchneedisthereforhealershowmuchsickness,plague,injury,
etc.isthereinthissociety?A:Arethereenoughhealerstomeetthisneed?
A:
Whatkindsoftreatmentsareavailableherbalbrews,vaccinations,
acupuncture,spells,etc.?A:Howeffectivearethey?A:
Isitpossibletoresurrect/resuscitatesomeonewhohasdied?A:Ifso,how
longdoesittakebeforethisbecomesimpossible?A:Beforeseriousbrain
damagesetsin?A:
Howisinsanitytreated?A:Arethereasylumsortreatmentcenters,orisit
handledcasebycase?A:Howeffectivearetreatmentsforinsanity?A:
Howmuchdothephysicaldifferencesbetweenhumansandnonhumans
affecttheirmedicaltreatment?A:Aretherediseasesthatonlyaffect
nonhumans,oronlyhumans?A:Aretherediseasesthataffecteverybody,
butwithdifferentdegreesofseverityamildcoldinahumanis
gallopingpneumoniainadwarf?A:Aresometreatmentslethaltoone
speciesbuteffectiveforothers?A:Dodoctorsorhealershaveto
specializetodoagoodjoboftreatingnonhumanpatients?A:
F. Arts and Entertainment
Whatisthestatusofthearts(dance,music,theater,etc.)inthissociety?
A:Areartistsreveredormistrusted?A:Aretheyconsiderednobleor
immoral?A:Whosupportsthearts?A:Whichartsaremosthighlyvalued

andwhy?A:
Aretherepermanenttheatersorconcerthallsfortheperformingarts?A:If
so,whoownsandrunsthem?A:Aretheyprofitable?A:Aretherealso
travelingtroupesofplayers/musicians/dancers?A:Howdotheir
performancesdiffer?A:
Whatdopeopleatvariouslevelsofsocietydoforfun?A:
Canmagicbeusedinthearts,andifso,howpaintthatglows,pictures
thatmove,flutesthatplaythemselves,etc.?A:Howdonormalartists
feelaboutthis?A:Isthereaseparatebranchofpurelymagicalart,suchas
illusion?A:
Whatsportsorpastimesarecommon(hawking,hunting,skiing,baseball)?
A:Whichonestakeskill,money,and/orleisuretime?A:
Ismagicaprofession,anart,orjustajob?A:Whatisthestatusaccorded
tomagiciansinthissociety?A:
Whatgamesarecommonlyknownchess,dice,poker?A:Whichare
commonamongeveryone,andwhicharelimitedtothepeasantryor
nobility?A:Arecertaincountries/citiesknownforapassion/expertisefor
particulargamesorpastimes?A:
Havepapermakingandtheprintingpressbeeninvented,orarebooksand
scrollsrare,expensive,handwrittenitems?A:
Whatthingsareconsideredappropriatesubjectsforrepresentationalarts
suchaspaintingandsculpture?A:Whicharenot?A:(Examples:some
cultures/religionsforbidthepaintingorsculptureofthehumanfigure,and
haveabstractartsomehavelimitedpainterstodoingonlyuplifting
religiousworks,etc.)
Aretherenonhumanraceswhotendtobenaturallytalentedpainters,
dancers,etc.?A:Howdoesthisaffecthumanpractitionersofthesearts?
A:
Dononhumanraceshavetheirowngamesandleisurepastimes?A:How
dotheydifferfromhumangames?A:Howdotheyreflectthephysiology
and/orparticularmagicaltalentsofthevariousnonhumanraces?A:
Arecertainraces/culturesconsideredbetteratsomeartsthanother
races/cultures?A:Wheredothebestdancers,painters,musicians,actors,
etc.comefrom?A:
Whatarethestandardsofbeautyforpeople?A:Paintingsandsculpture?
A:Clothesandfurniture?A:Howdotheydifferfromthestandardsin
yourculture(example:acountrywhichconsidersfatnessahighly
desirablebeautytrait)?A:Howdostandardofbeautyreflectthephysical
traitsofthevariousraces(examples:dwarvesmightconsiderexcessive
heightunattractivewerewolvesmightbeattractedbylongteethora
particularscent)?A:
G. Architecture
Whatisthemostcommonbuildingmaterial?A:Whyisitused
(availability,cheapness,legalrequirement)?A:Doesithaveanymajor
drawbacks(e.g.,theGreatFireofLondon)?A:

Howtallabuildingcanbeconstructedatareasonablecostandina
reasonabletime?A:
Whataretypicalfloorplanslikecanpeopleaffordtowastespaceon
hallways,ordotheyjusthaveaseriesofroomsopeningintootherrooms?
A:Arebuildingsnormallybuiltsquare,triangular,domed,what?A:
Howmanypeopleusuallyliveinatypicalhouse?A:Howlargeisa
typicalhouse?A:
Whatarethedifferencesinmaterialsandappearancebetweena
lowerclass,middleclass,andupperclasstypehouse?A:Howdopeople
decoratebuildings(e.g.,carvingsvs.paintvs.patternsresultingfromthe
useofdifferentbuildingmaterials)?A:Aretheredifferencesin
ornamentationdependingonthepurposeofthebuilding(e.g.,gargoyles
andcarvingsofsaintsusedmainlyoncathedrals)?A:
Hastechnologyormagicprogressedtothepointofmakingwindowglass?
A:Ifso,howexpensiveisit?A:Ifnot,whatdopeopleusetocover
windowsnecessaryforventilationandlight?A:
Howarelivingquartersarranged?A:Arebedroomsonthetopfloorsfor
privacyoronthegroundfloorforconvenience?A:Areparlorsorlibraries
common?A:Howarehousesheated/cooled?A:
Arewarsandinsurrectionscommonenoughthatcastlesandcitiesarebuilt
withaneyetomilitarydefensefirstandappearancelater,orarepalaces
andwalllesstownstherule?A:
H. Urban Factors
Howmanypeoplearethereinthiscountry?A:Howdoesthiscompare
withworldpopulation?A:Whatisconsideredasmalltown/large
town/cityintermsofnumberofpeople?A:
Ispopulationshiftingfromruraltourban,southtonorth,mountainsto
coast,etc.?A:Whyinvasion,plague,goldrush,etc.?A:Whateffects
hasthishadontheplacesbeingleft?A:Theplacesgainingpeople?A:
Doescitylayoutreflectsomephilosophy(religiousorotherwise),suchas
thattheheadofthecitymustbeatthecenteroratthehighestpointorat
themoststrategiclocation?A:Orwerelayoutconsiderationsmainly
practical?A:Ordidmostcitiesjustgrow?A:
Aretherepublicorprivateparksinmost/anycities?A:
Arecitiesgenerallylaidoutonasquaregridsystemofstreets,ordothey
justgrow?A:Howwidearethestreetsandalleys?A:
Whatarethelandmarksineachcity?A:Wherearetheinteresting
neighborhoods,likeChinatownorthedwarvishsection,andwhatgives
eachitsspecialcharacter?A:Dotheneighborhoodshavenames?A:
Wheredopeoplegotoshop?A:Toeat?A:Tohavefun?A:Todo
touristythings?A:Whatsortsofgoods/food/entertainmentareavailable
inlargecitiesthatarenotavailableinthecountry?A:
I. Rural Factors
Ispopulationshiftingfromruraltourban,southtonorth,mountainsto
coast,etc.?A:Whyinvasion,plague,goldrush,etc.?A:Whateffects

hasthishadontheplacesbeingleft?A:Theplacesgainingpeople?A:
Giventhemagical/technologicallevelofthissociety,whatisan
appropriaterationoffarmersorfoodproducerstourbanresidents?A:If
farmproductionisbasedonmagic,howmanyurbanresidentsaregoingto
starveifthespellssupportingfarming(weather,landfertility,etc.)fail
suddenly?A:
Arepeasants/farmers/yeomen/serfstiedtotheirlandbylaworcustom,or
cantheymovetotowniftheyfeellikeit?A:Cantheyowntheirfarms
andproperty,orisitallcommonland,orisitrentedfromalordor
landholder?A:
Giventhestateofroadsandtransportation,howmuchfoodisitpossible
toshiptoagivenlocationbeforeitspoils?A:(Thislimitsthesizeof
cities.)
Areruralareasprimarilyfarms,forests,fieldsforgrazing,orwaste
land?A:Inoutlyingareaswheretherearentmanypeople,howmany
roadsarethere,whobuildsthem,andwhomaintainsthem?A:
Howreliableistheweatherfromyeartoyeariscropproduction
relativelydependable,ordopeoplehavetocopewithregularfaminesdue
todroughtorfloods?A:
Whatkindsofcatastrophicweatherarecommontornadoes,hurricanes,
blizzards,waterspouts,duststorms?A:Howdopeoplecope?A:Howdo
nonhumanscope?A:
Howarefarming/foodproducingareasdividedupbetween
humans/nonhumans?A:Whatkindsofconflictsarelikelytoresult?A:
(Example:Expandinghumanfarmsencroachingonaforestthatdragons
orwerewolvesuseforhunting.)
Canpeasants/yeomenowntheirownland,ordoesitallbelongtothelord?
A:Whatkindsofrightsoverland,crops,game,etc.doesalord/landowner
have?A:Ispoachingaproblem?A:
DailyLife
A. General
Howdoordinarypeoplefeelaboutforeigners?A:Nonhumans?A:How
readyaretheytoacceptdifferentideas?A:Howcosmopolitanarethey?
A:
Howmuchsocialmobilityisthere?A:Isiteasyorhardforapersonborn
apeasanttoadvancetothemiddleclass,oramiddleclasspersontothe
upperclassornobility?A:Howmuchresistancewouldtherebe?A:
Wouldsuchapersoneverbeacceptedsocially?A:
Whatitemsorfoodsormaterialsareluxurieschocolate,coffee,silk,
spices,flushtoilets?A:Why?A:
Whatdopeoplegenerallylooklike?A:Wouldablonde(redhead,
brunette)standoutinacrowd?A:Someone510tall?A:Do
nonhumansstandoutinacrowd,orarethereenoughofthemaroundthat
theyreconsideredordinary?A:
Whatareacceptednormsofpersonalhygiene?A:Domostpeoplebathe

regularly,orisbathingconsideredahealthhazard?A:
Howisgarbageandotherwastematerialdisposedof?A:
Whatisfurniturelikebigandblocky,delicate,simple,elaborately
carved,painted?A:Whatisitmostlymadeofcloth,wood,stone?A:
Arecertainthings(likechairswitharms)reservedforhighstatus
individuals?A:
Inwhatwaysdoesfurnituredesignreflectthecustomsandlifestyleofthe
people(example:bedswithbedcurtainsforprivacyinmedievalhomes
whereservantswanderedthroughroomswithoutwarningfutonsthatcan
berolledupandputawayinsteadofbedsinacountrywithlittle
housespace)?A:
Whataretheplumbingandsanitarysystemslike?A:Whobuildsand
maintainsthem?A:Howreliablearethey,andwhodoyoucallwhenthe
drainsbackup?A:Howdotheydifferfromcitytofarm?A:
Howdopeoplecopewithvariousdisastersfire,floods,tornadoesor
hurricanes,blizzards,plague,etc.?A:Howcommonaresuchdisasters?A:
Howearlydopeoplegetupinthemorninginthecity?A:Country?A:
Areclockscommon,ordopeopletelltimebythesunorbylisteningfor
churchbells?A:
B. Fashion and Dress
Whatdopeoplewear?A:Howexpensiveisit?A:Canthematerialbe
producedlocally,ormustsomeorallofitbeimported?A:
Areweaponsastandardpartofdressforany/allsegmentsofsociety?A:
Arecertainclothescustomaryforcertainoccupationse.g.,military
uniforms,judgesrobes/wigs,sportsteamsuniforms,etc.?A:Howmuch
variationisallowedcouldascholarwearadayglowgreenrobeaslong
asthecutisright,orwouldthatbetoomuch?A:Isitcolororstylethatis
mostimportant?A:
Arethedyesforcertaincolorspurple,indigo,etc.rare,makingcloth
ofthatcolormoreexpensiveand/orreservedfornobilityorother
highstatuspeople?A:
Aretheresumptuarylaws,definingwhocanwearwhat?A:Whatarethe
penalties?A:Whodecideswhenchangesareneeded?A:Howoftenare
theyadjusted?A:
Aretherefashions/fadsinthingsbesidesclothesstylesofcarriages,
furniture,etc.?A:
Aretherefashions/fadsinmagicareherbalspellsinthisyearand
ritualspellsout,orviceversa?A:
Howmanychangesofclothescananormalpersonafford?A:Anoble
person?A:Apeasant?A:
Whatisthecurrentfashioninclothes?A:Hats?A:Jewelry?A:Shoes?A:
Dosuchfashionsdifferforhumans/nonhumans?A:Betweencityand
country?A:
Whatmaterialsareappropriatetotheclimate?A:Whatmaterialsmustbe
imported,andarethereforeforexpensiveupperclassclothesonly?A:

Whatthingsareconsideredtackyandvulgar,andwhatthingsarestylish?
A:
Whattypesofdecorationsandaccessoriesarecommon?A:Whatcolors
andcombinationsofcolorsarethoughttolookwellortoclash?A:Do
opinionsonthisvaryfromracetorace?A:
Whatphysicaltypesandcharacteristicsarecurrentlyfashionabletan
vs.paleskin,theconsumptivelookvs.robustgoodhealth,fatvs.thin,
blondevs.brunette,musclesvs.deadpoet,etc.?A:
Howdononhumanfashionsreflecttheirphysiology?A:Dodragons
dressfordinner?A:Domermaidshaveanuditytaboo?A:
C. Manners
Whatdistinguishesaformal,highcourtdinnerfromanordinarymeal
besidesquantityandvarietyoffood?A:Howdohighcourtmanners
differfromeverydayones?A:
Whataretherulesofprecedencewhogetstogothroughdoorsfirst?A:
Whogetsintroducedfirst?A:
Isthereadistinctionbetweenformalorhighcourtgoodmannersand
informal,everydaygoodmanners?A:Whenandwherearepeople
supposedtobeontheirbestbehavior?A:
Howimportantaregoodmannersinthissociety?A:Whatconstitutes
everydaygoodmanners?A:Howdogoodmannersdifferfromraceto
race?A:Howdopeople/dwarves/elves/dragonsreactwhensomeonehas
justbeen,bytheirstandards,unspeakablyrude?A:
Whenaguestarrives,isfoodordrinkofferedimmediately,afteran
interval,oronlyonrequest?A:Isthereaparticularfoodordrinkthatis
customarytoofferanewlyarrivedguest?A:
D. Diet
Whatdishesareconsideredholidayfood?A:Whatfoods/drinksare
associatedwithparticularholidays,events(e.g.,funerals,weddings)or
timesoftheyear?A:
Whatdistinguishesaformal,highcourtdinnerfromanordinarymeal,
besidesquantityandvarietyoffood?A:Howdohighcourtmanners
differfromeverydayones?A:
Whenaguestarrives,isfoodordrinkofferedimmediately,afteran
interval,oronlyonrequest?A:Isthereaparticularfoodordrinkthatis
customarytoofferanewlyarrivedguest?A:Aguestwhoisjustdeparting
(stirrupcup)?A:
Issanitationgoodenoughforuntreatedwatertobesafetodrink?A:If
not,whatdopeopledrinkinstead?A:
Whatthings,whileedible,arenevereaten(whatsnotkosher)?A:Why?
A:Aresomecommonhumanfoodspoisonoustodwarvesorelves(orvice
versa)?A:
Giventhemagical/technologicallevelofthissociety,whatisan
appropriaterationoffarmersorfoodproducerstourbanresidents?A:If
farmproductionisbasedonmagic,howmanyurbanresidentsaregoingto

starveifthespellssupportingfarming(weather,landfertility,etc.)fail
suddenly?A:
Howmanymealsareconsiderednormalinaday?A:Whenarethey
served?A:Whicharesubstantialandwhicharesmaller?A:Arecertain
foods(e.g.,eggsandbacon)reservedmainlyforaparticularmeal?A:
Whatdishesorseasoningswouldbeconsideredtypicalofthisarea?A:
Whatwinesorbeers?A:
Whatfoodsareconsideredpeasantfood?A:Whatfoodsarestaples,
commonlyeateneveryday?A:Whatfoodsarerare?A:Whatfoodsare
normallyeatencooked/raw?A:
Whatisthefoodlike?A:Whatherbsandspicesarereadilyavailable,and
whatmustbeimported?A:Howcommon/expensiveareimportedfoods
andspices?A:
Whatspicesandherbsareproducedlocally,andwhicharerareand
expensive?A:Whicharemostcommonlyused?A:Dopeopletendtolike
highlyspicedfoodornot?A:
Howisfoodpreservedforuseduringtheoffseasonsmoking,canning,
salting,drying,etc.?A:Howreliablearethemethodsusedhowoften
doespreservedfoodspoil?A:
Whenfoodisinlimitedsupply,whogetsfirstcrack?A:Thelaborersand
farmerswhohavetoworktoproducemore,orthechildrenwhoarethe
nextgeneration,orthewiseandreveredelders,orthenobility?A:
Whatfoodsandseasoningsdononhumanslike,andhowdothesediffer
fromthosefavoredbyhumans?A:Aresomefoodspoisonousor
distastefultoonespeciesthataredelicaciesornecessarytoanother?A:
Aretheretimeswhenpeopleareexpectedtofast(e.g.,beforesolstice,
afterthebirthofachild,duringLentorRamadan,afterthedeathofa
ruler,etc.)?A:
Giventhestateofroadsandtransportation,howmuchfoodisitpossible
toshiptoagivenlocationbeforeitspoils?A:(Thislimitsthesizeof
cities.)
E. Education
Howmuchdoesitcosttogetvariouslevelsofeducation?A:
Isthereanorganizedsystemofeducation?A:Ifso,whoprovidesit:
government,churches,privatepersons?A:Howisitsupported?A:Is
magicconsideredpartofthegeneralcollegecurriculum,ordoyouhaveto
studyitprivately?A:
Whatsortofeducationisavailable,andwhere?A:Arethereschoolhouses
ineverytown,ordoordinarypeoplehavetotraveliftheywanttobe
educated?A:Arethereuniversities?A:Privatetutors?A:
Whatisthelevelofliteracyinthegeneralpopulation?A:Isliteracy
consideredauseful/necessaryskillfornobility,orsomethingonly
scribes/clerks/wimps/bourgeoisieneed?A:Howcommonarebooks?A:
Howaretheyproduced?A:
Whoaretheteachers?A:Howaretheytrained?A:Whopaysthem?A:

Howmucheducationisconsideredusualateachofthevariouslevelsor
classesofsociety?A:Whatthingsareconsideredabsolutelynecessaryfor
agentleman/nobletoknow?A:Atradesman?A:
Whatthingsareconsideredabsolutelynecessaryknowledgeforacourtier
(poetry,languages,skillatarms,etc.)?A:Whicharenicebutnot
necessary?A:Whichwouldbehighlyembarrassingifanybodyfoundout
aboutthem(apassionforcomicbooks,etc.)?A:
Howrespectedareteachersandscholars?A:Whosupportsthem?A:
Ifmagicrequiresstudy,wheredoyougotolearnaboutit?A:Howdo
peoplefundtheirtraining?A:Isthereanapprenticeshipsystem,orare
therewizardschools,orisitoneononetutoring/mentoring?A:Isan
untrainedwizarddangerous,orjustanordinaryperson?A:
Dowizardshaveaspeciallanguagethatisusedformagic?A:Ifso,where
dotheylearnit?A:Isitsafetochatinthislanguage,oriseverythingsaid
initautomaticallyaspell?A:Ifso,howcanitsafelybetaughttonew
students?A:
F. Calendar
Isthereasingle,generallyacceptedcalendar(includingtime
measurements),ordodifferentcountriesorpeoplesorraceshavedifferent
ones?A:
Howisthedaydividedintosmallertimeunits?A:Whatarethey(Hourof
theLark,SunriseBell,Nones,etc.)?A:Arethenamesrelevantto
anything?A:Isthelengthofanhourfixed,ordoesitvarydependingon
changesinthelengthofthedayastheseasonschange?A:
Whatarethenamesofmonths,andhowmanydaysineach?A:How
manydaysinaweek?A:Monthsinayear?A:Arethereleapyears?A:If
so,whokeepstrack?A:
Whichdaysaregeneralholidaysorfestivaltimes?A:Whatdothey
celebrate?A:Arethereanythatareonlycelebratedinparticularcountries,
cities,orregions?A:
Whatevent(s)dopeopleusetodateyears?A:Dotheyuseasingleevent
(thecreationoftheworld,theendoftheGreatWar,theinventionof
atomicpower,etc.)orareeventsdatedbasedonrecurringthings(the12th
yearofTiberiusreign,the301styearoftheHanDynasty)?A:
Howdopeopletellwhattimeitis?A:Arethereclocks,watches,sundials,
etc.,ordopeoplehavetojustlistenforbellsfromthecastleorchurch,or
justeyeballthesun?A:
Arethereanydaysthatareconsideredoutsidetheyear,likeMardiGras
ortheFeastofFools?A:Howarethesedayscustomarilyobserved?A:
Howdidtheyoriginate?A:

D.