Myths & Legends Template (Pronunciation)
Restructuring the Codex
We are currently moving articles around and changing the general structure of the Codex. Please come back later if you get lost!This template is designed to inspire the myths and legends of your world. There are many stories from ancient times or even just from a few generations ago. These stories can affect how present cultures identify themselves.
The template has many prompt boxes which can be filled in. Use them for inspiration and to help format your article. Do not feel like you have to fill out all of them!
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
Summary
(GENERIC > SUMMARY)
Summarize the most important aspects of the myth or legend. What has happened in this story? What are the important elements or key concepts of this story? What was the outcome of the story? Quickly establish the context of the story and then get to the core aspects. Leave out any details that are not needed to understand the story.
Historical Basis
(GENERIC > HISTORICAL BASIS)
Is this myth rooted in actual historical events? What heppend in reality? Is there any evidence for this? Do the people of the world know about this historical event or do they only know the legend that came from it? Is there anyone studying this history? Or a organization that is trying to preserve it?
Spread
(GENERIC > SPREAD / APOCRYPHA)
How far and wide has this myth or legend spread? Is it common knowledge in the civilization so of the world? Is there a faction which keeps this myth a secret? How was this myth spread? Was there someone or an organization which made sure to spread it? Is it a family or clan tradition to tell this story? Is it spread by storytellers who travel far and wide? Is this myth translated to many languages or just spread in a single cultur? Was it written down in a book?
Variations & Mutation
(GENERIC > VARIATIONS)
What kind of variations does this myth or legend have? Describe some of these different variants. Who were the people who created these variants? Do these variations co-exists with each other or did these variations transplant the original? Does someone collect them? Why were these variations created? What was the catalyst for a new version of this story?
Cultural Reception
(GENERIC > CULTURAL RECEPTION)
Describe how this legend or myth is viewed in the various cultures of your world. Is it similarly important to most of them? Is it a forbidden to talk about this in some communities? How do people talk about this myth? Do they integrate this myth in contemporary art?
In Literature
(GENERIC > IN LITERATURE)
Describe how this myth has affected literary works within your world. Are its themes and concepts popular? Does it come up often? Is there an entire genre defined around this myth? Who wrote about this myth? How did authors write about this myth? Did they use it to create their own stories? Did they recount the myth?
In Art
(GENERIC > IN ART)
Describe other aristic works that were inspired by this myth or legend. Write about the paintings, songs, poems, video games, buildings, murals, sculptures, comics inspired or losly based on this myth or legend. How is the myth viewed in these works? Do they reenforce the themes of the myth or contradict them? Are these works critical of aspects of the myth?
Date of First Recording
When was this legend first recorded? This usually refers to when it was first written down.
Date of Setting
When did this (supposedly) take place?
Telling / Prose
Related Ethnicities
Related Species
Related Locations
Related People
Related Organizations
Related Items
Related Vehicles
Related Prompts
The prompts listed below are part of the Worldbuilding Prompts that can be found under the Community menu. These prompts use the template discussed in this article. Using these prompts is a great way to expand your worldbuilding!
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