WDMichael Articles 21 - 30 Notes and Inspiration

Describe a profession in your world that has always been, or recently became, illegal

• What is the Profession in One Word:
• What aspect of the Profession is Illegal (Is the profession 100% Illegal or is it a profession that's been twisted in part)
• Example: Farming is considered to be a legal profession. With Farming, it can be twisted into an Illegal Profession if the farmer is growing a product that is Illegal or enhancing the product with chemicals for example.
• On the other end Being a full-time thief is 100% Illegal (unless being a thief is looked at differently in your world like Pirate Planet!)
• Why did it become Illegal in your world and what caused it to be viewed as an Illegal activity)?
• Does the Profession require any raw materials and do they manipulate them in any way? (Poison, Drugs, Illegal Furs Etc.)(Illegal Substances, Illegal Fur Clothing, Ritualistic Potions.)
• How is the Illegal Operation Hidden from Other? (Illegal Gambling ring in the back, Legal Grocery Store in the front.)
• Illegal Everywhere or is it illegal in only some of the regions?
• What kind of Punishment can be expected if caught doing this Illegal Activity?
• What are the Upsides to the Job that push people into the profession? (Fame, Money, Privilege?)

Write about the headquarters of an organization in your world.

• Organization itself:
• What does this organization do?
• How many members in the Organization?
• Do they have any Symbols and what is the meaning behind them?
• Any Laws of the Organization?
• What is this Organizations' Agenda in the world?
• Who is allowed inside?
• Is this a Secret Organization or one that is Open to the public?
• What kind of assets do they possess?
• How is the Organization Funded?
• Who is the Leader and what is the social structure below the leader?
• The Headquarters:
• What Building or Structure does the organization do its business?
• What does the structure look like?
• Does the building have any hidden rooms and who has access?
• What kind of defenses does this headquarters possess?
• Where is the common meeting place and is there anything special about the room (Like a Massive Hearth in a Great Hall or a map of the world on the floor)?

Describe a settlement that is famous for a particular resource, product or item created there.

• Who lives in this Settlement?
• What is the Building Structure like?
• Are there any special buildings dedicated to this resource (Storage, A Forge, Mill)?
• How has the discovery of this resource affected the settlement? (New Buildings, Wealth, Change in population)
• What industries are needed for the resource? (Fishing, Market, Chef, Miner, Blacksmith)
• Any Special Tools?
• Any Pests to the resource?
• What is the raw material and how is it harvested?
• What was the reason behind this particular resource being famous? (Did a King or Queen love it, is it rare, hard to produce)
• Is it Illegal Anywhere and for what reasons?
• Are there any secrets associated with the resource in how it's farmed or produced?

Describe a law enforcing organization within your world and how they operate.

• Laws that are enforced by this organization?
• Title of the members? (Warden, Police officer.)
• Social Structure of the Organization and who is the current leader?
• What kind of formal training if any?
• What enforcement tactics do they utilize? (Mace, Murder, Tickets, Arrest)
• What Punishments if any are they allowed to enforce? (Seizure of property, Beheading)
• What was the reason for the creation of the organization? (Rise in Crime?)
• Are members feared or respected by the populous and what is the general opinion of the organization?
• What kind of resources are available to them?
• Do they have any other interactions with the populous other than enforcing the laws? (fixing a flat tire, or escorting someone home)
• Any Jokes, Assumptions, Cliches or Myths about the organization?
• How much power does the organization hold? (Enforcer, Judge, Jury, Executioner?)
• Do they have a Unifrom and what does it look like?
• Any Equipment or vehicles that are special or unique to the organization?

Write about a food-focussed event in your world and describe how it's celebrated.

• Why is this food integral to the celebrations? (Favorite food of an ancient hero, Is the food a rare delicacy)
• Is the food consumed Raw or Prepared?
• Where does the Food Grow?
• What was the original reason behind the creation of an event? (Celebrating Freedom or the death of a hero)
• Specific time and place for the celebration and why?
• Any traditions during the event? (Food eating contest, pumpkin carving)
• Is the event celebrated at home with family and friends, out on the town with the community or as a national holiday?
• Is it considered a day off so that everyone can enjoy the holiday?

Write about a technology from the history of your world - is it lost to the ages, or did it shape the world today?

• What is the technology used for?
• When was the technology discovered and by who?
• Did the creator become famous for the work?
• Was the technology lost and if so HOW did it become lost?
• If it's still part of the world how has it shaped the world?
• Has the technology been advanced upon or is it still the exact same technology from the past?
• Does the technology create any harmful side effects or waste?

Describe any condition or disease for which a cure has recently been developed.

• What organ system(s) does the condition or disease effect?
• Causes? (Internal like genetics, environmental like toxins or some bacteria/virus.)
• Symptoms and how do they change as the condition progresses?
• How was the condition or disease treated in the past?
• What does the condition or disease effect? (Plants, animals, humans)
• Who was responsible for creating the cure? (Accidental discovery or on Purpose)
• Was the testing for the cure ethical or unethical?
• Who has access to the cure? (Hidden or Open)
• What is the process of making a cure and is the process short, long, hard, easy?
• What are the Raw materials needed for the cure?
• Name of the cure?
• Does the Cure Cost anything?
• How is the cure administered to the patient? (Oral, Injection, Topical, Inhalation)
• What side effects are associated with the cure?

Write about the history of a settlement that was almost entirely wiped out and was then rebuilt.

• Who lives in this settlement?
• What are some important events in the history of the settlement? (Beginning, growth)
• How did the population change from before the disaster, during the disaster and after the rebuild?
• Causes of the Disaster? (Magical, Natural, Ecenomic, Disease)
• Who rebuilt the Settlement and how?
• What resources were used for the rebuilding?
• Why was the settlement deemed necessary to rebuild? (Strategic position, ancient home?)
• Did the rebuild involve anything to combat the destruction from before so it doesn't happen again? (Earthquake so they made more stable buildings?)

Write about a species in your world that is bred or farmed for a high-value resource.

• What is the species name?
• Does the species have any diseases that effect it?
• Any genetic work? (breeding out weak traits)
• What predators does this species have?
• What dangers does the farmed species possess to the farmer?
• How widely spread through the world is this species?
• When and how was the species domesticated?
• How does this farmed species affect the economy? (Bad year or a good Year?)
• What environment is needed to farm the species?
• What is the particular highly prized resource and how is it harvested from the species?
• What is the breeding like for the species in captivity?
• What makes the resource so valuable?
• What is the resource used for in the world?

Write about an unassuming character who secretly controls things from behind the scenes.

• Unassuming = not pretentious or arrogant; modest.
• What is the character's name?
• What kind of power do they have? (Knowledge, Force)
• Who works for this character?
• What is making them secretive? (Not wanting to be found, Trust Issues)
• What are they controlling in the world? (Fishing, Trade, Politics)
• Are they feared?
• Who all knows about this character in the world and do they have a nickname?
• What are some of the accomplishments of the character?
• Resources available to the character?
• Motives?
• Hidden Agenda?