Hello all, I would like to request your views and guidance in my worldbuilding for Difilar, as I’ve come across a dilemma.
This world was shaken by an event known as the Great Storm, which enriched the sea itself with otherworldly magic. This was caused by a prayer gone haywire, bringing the world into a new age. It is this age where the majority of my writing comes into play, and also where I plan to set a novel in the world.
Now I know what you’re thinking:
“This sounds great, oh handsome and amazing Gamehero14. What’s the issue?”
Well, my dear reader, my dilemma comes down to two possible outcomes of the Storm’s creation, which will have a heavy impact on the future of this world. Either the Storm entraps an island cluster within its eye, or it only remains as a permanent overcast, fog, and traces of arcane phenomena. If it entraps the island cluster, the story will shift to now take place inside of it, over 300 years later. If it instead becomes a more conventional storm, the story will take place mere decades afterwards, in the shadow of the four major civilizations of the world.
Let me show to you a basic outline of the two possibilities:
The Encompassing Tempest
- Story takes place three hundred years later in the Island Cluster as Ocea Twalk joins the Black Iron Navy due to her family’s surmounted debt.
- What I currently have written out.
- Far more unique and interesting of a concept.
- The island clusters allow for a more varied environment.
- Keeps the “area of play” nicely contained. Possibly too contained. The Storm’s eye is about 500 miles in diameter.
- Would maintain a darker tone overall. Though part of me wants to lighten the tone into something brighter. Somewhat for the sake of my sanity, as I’m growing to despise my pessimism.
- Would probably have to lighten the history if that happened.
The Sea Beyond
- The Black Iron Navy would either not exist, or would need a reason for doing so separate of any major culture. Ocea would remain the focus character, but I’d have to re-think out what I want to do with her.
- Most of the characters I have written will transfer over with relative ease. As would the cultures, though I’d likely have to expand on them more. Which may be a bit much for me.
- Better for the magic theme and mystery. Worse for the swashbuckling and military.
- I really don’t wanna make a multi-continental scale map.
What I Prefer to Worldbuild
- Characters. People. Ones that clearly come from somewhere and carry their cultures on their sleeves.
- Beautiful diversity where you feel like nobody is quite like the culture you, the reader, are from.
- Fun dynamics and relationships. Ocea will probably end up smooching a pirate woman.
- MAGIC THAT NOBODY CAN EXPLAIN WITH A DISTINCT OCEAN THEME.
- Smaller-scale civilizations. The world we live in already feels just too overwhelming.
- Lots of sailing and exploring. And swashbuckling, because I love a good sword fight or two. Or three. Or ten.
Ayo, wait a second, I just had an idea: what if I did both? Like, made the entire world a whole bunch of islands in different clusters… like in Windwaker or something.
Anyways, thoughts? Ideas? Comparisons to Arcane Odyssey because it undoubtedly served as an inspiration?
