HERMETICS: A framework for getting started with your setting

Originally created by u/SixtrapAK1 on r/worldbuilding.

History

• What has preceded the current state of your world? (Periods of time)
• Any historical events? Any major conflicts? How influential were these events? In what way?
• How is stability and balance of power maintained? Current status?
• How does time work in this world? What does this imply? (Daytime, Years, Months, etc.)

Economy

• How does the economic system work? (Currency? Inflation? Banks? Barter System? etc.)
• How does the chain of production work? Who controls it? With what purpose?
• What are the most valuable resources of this world? How are these resources bought and sold? (Regulation? Landowners? etc.)
• How can one society be considered “wealthier” compared to others?

Religion

• How does each civilization perceive reality and the beginning of it? How did it actually start?
• Holy entities of those religions? Are actual entities present in the world?
• Main myths, legends, tenets, ideals? How are they documented and affect society?
• How do religions clash? Do they clash?

Mechanics

• What are the limits of your magic? Hard system? Soft system? Forbidden practices?
• What has magical abilities? How can one get access to it? What can be achieved with magic?
• Any new technology? How does it work? Futuristic ways of transport/communication?
• How does magic-tech affect and interact with your society? What pros and cons do they have?

Executive

• Systems of government (Tribal, Democratic, Dynasties, Special system, etc.)
• Who has the power? How is it exchanged?
• How are the laws created? How are the new amendments decided?
• Law enforcement systems. (Military? Police? Administration? Penitentiary?)

Topography

• How does your world map look? Remarkable landscapes? What natural resources are available?
• How is the weather and climate? How do they change?
• How does the location of society affect its chances of survival/culture?
• How different is the urban world from the rural world?

Inhabitants

• How many intelligent species live in the world? How do they interact with each other?
• How do these species live? Do these species have subgroups? Any special traits?
• Any new animals or plants? What interactions do they create?
• What new materials/resources/food does your world have?

Culture

• What are the most important features/flaws/differences of your culture? Any new language?
• The main works of art/literature/construction? Their influence?
• What conflicts do your societies have? Big conflicts? Current?
• What does this culture prioritize? What does it try to develop the most?

Social Scale

• Who are the most important people? Who is the least important?
• How do they differ/makes them different? How do these classes coexist?
• Any particular class or a fraction of class with a special status? What’s important about them and what do they do? (Church? Military? Merchants?)