--- name: create-world description: Create a new worldbuilding project with full folder structure. Use when the user wants to start a new world, campaign setting, or fantasy setting like "create a world called Eldoria". argument-hint: "[world name] [--quick]" --- # Create New World Create a new worldbuilding project for: $ARGUMENTS ## Overview Creates a new world directory with full folder structure and an initial World Overview document. Can run in: - **Interactive mode** (default): Asks questions to generate a customized World Overview - **Quick mode** (`--quick`): Creates structure with template placeholders only ## Instructions ### Step 1: Parse Arguments Extract from `$ARGUMENTS`: - **World name** - Required (ask if not provided) - **--quick flag** - Optional, skips questionnaire Check if world already exists at `Worlds/[World Name]/`. If yes: > "A world named '[World Name]' already exists. Would you like to: > 1. Open the existing world > 2. Choose a different name > 3. Delete and recreate (WARNING: destroys existing content)" ### Step 2: World Name Validation Ensure the world name is: - Evocative and memorable - Title Case with spaces allowed - Valid as a folder name (no special characters: `/ \ : * ? " < > |`) If name seems generic (e.g., "Test", "New World", "World 1"), offer suggestions: > "Would you like a more evocative name? Here are some suggestions based on fantasy naming patterns: > 1. [Generated name 1] > 2. [Generated name 2] > 3. [Generated name 3] > 4. Keep '[Original Name]'" --- ## Interactive Mode (Default) ### Step 3: Core Identity Questions Ask these questions to generate customized content. Present as numbered options where applicable. #### 3A: Genre & Tone > "What genre and tone fits your world?" > > 1. **Epic Fantasy** - Heroic adventures, clear good vs evil, grand scale (Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time) > 2. **Dark Fantasy** - Grim, morally gray, dangerous (Dark Souls, Warhammer, Witcher) > 3. **Sword & Sorcery** - Personal stakes, pulpy action, rogues and warriors (Conan, Lankhmar) > 4. **Mythic Fantasy** - Gods walk among mortals, legendary heroes, fate-driven (Greek myths, Exalted) > 5. **Low Fantasy** - Subtle magic, political intrigue, grounded (Game of Thrones, First Law) > 6. **Whimsical Fantasy** - Lighter tone, humor welcome (Discworld, Princess Bride) > 7. **Horror Fantasy** - Dread, cosmic terror, survival (Ravenloft, Call of Cthulhu) > 8. **Other** - Describe your vision Store response in `world_tone`. #### 3B: The Hook > "In one or two sentences, what makes this world unique? What's the first thing you want players to discover?" > > Examples: > - "Magic is dying, and the last mages are hunted as heretics" > - "Three empires vie for control of the only river in a vast desert" > - "The gods went silent fifty years ago, and cults have risen in the void" > - "A floating archipelago above an endless storm-sea" Store response in `world_hook`. #### 3C: Magic Level > "How common is magic in this world?" > > 1. **None** - Magic doesn't exist; purely mundane > 2. **Mythic Only** - Magic existed in legends, maybe traces remain > 3. **Rare** - Most people never see real magic; practitioners are legendary > 4. **Uncommon** - Magic exists but is notable; mages are respected/feared > 5. **Common** - Part of daily life; magical services available in cities > 6. **Pervasive** - Magic is everywhere; even commoners have cantrips Store response in `magic_level`. #### 3D: Technology Level > "What's the baseline technology level?" > > 1. **Primitive** - Stone age, tribal societies > 2. **Ancient** - Bronze/Iron age, early empires (Egypt, Mesopotamia) > 3. **Classical** - Greek/Roman equivalent, sophisticated but pre-medieval > 4. **Medieval** - Feudal kingdoms, castles, knights (standard D&D) > 5. **Renaissance** - Early gunpowder, printing press, exploration age > 6. **Industrial** - Steam power, factories, early modern > 7. **Magitech** - Technology powered or replaced by magic Store response in `tech_level`. #### 3E: Scale & Scope > "How much of the world do you plan to detail?" > > 1. **Local** - One city and surroundings; tight focus > 2. **Regional** - A single kingdom or territory > 3. **Continental** - One major landmass with multiple nations > 4. **Global** - Multiple continents, world-spanning scope > 5. **Planar** - Multiple planes of existence matter Store response in `world_scale`. #### 3F: Central Conflict > "What's the primary tension or conflict driving events?" > > Examples: > - War between nations > - Ancient evil awakening > - Political succession crisis > - Plague with no cure > - Planar barriers weakening > - Resource scarcity > - Religious schism > - Or describe your own Store response in `central_conflict`. #### 3G: Inspirations (Optional) > "What are 1-3 inspirations for this world? (Books, games, movies, history, aesthetics)" Store response in `inspirations`. --- ### Step 4: Create Directory Structure Create the following structure in `Worlds/[World Name]/`: ``` [World Name]/ ├── World Overview.md ├── Characters/ ├── Settlements/ ├── Items/ ├── Creatures/ ├── Organizations/ ├── Concepts/ ├── History/ ├── Geography/ ├── Encounters/ ├── Maps/ └── Sessions/ ``` **Folder purposes:** | Folder | Contents | |--------|----------| | Characters/ | NPCs, protagonists, antagonists, familiars | | Settlements/ | Cities, towns, villages, taverns, shops, temples | | Items/ | Weapons, armor, artifacts, potions, books, vehicles | | Creatures/ | Monsters, animals, species, plants | | Organizations/ | Governments, guilds, cults, military, criminal orgs | | Concepts/ | Deities, pantheons, magic systems, calendars, currencies | | History/ | Ages, events, wars, battles, dynasties | | Geography/ | Continents, regions, terrain features, dungeons | | Encounters/ | Combat, social, exploration encounters | | Maps/ | World, continent, region, settlement maps | | Sessions/ | DM session prep notes and logs | --- ### Step 5: Generate World Overview Create `World Overview.md` with content filled from questionnaire answers: ```markdown --- tags: - world - overview - [world_name_tag] name: "[World Name]" aliases: [] status: draft # World Details genre: [derived from tone] tone: "[world_tone]" time_period: "[tech_level era name]" magic_level: "[magic_level]" technology_level: "[tech_level]" scale: "[world_scale]" created: "[current date]" --- # [World Name] > [!info] World Overview > This is the central document for [World Name]. It tracks high-level worldbuilding details, themes, and relationships between major elements. Use `[[wikilinks]]` to connect to entities as you create them. ## Premise [Expanded version of world_hook - 3-4 sentences elaborating on the unique concept, the current situation, and what makes this world compelling for adventures] ## Tone & Themes ### Tone **Primary Tone:** [world_tone] **What This Means:** [2-3 sentences describing how this tone manifests - violence level, moral complexity, humor appropriateness, stakes] ### Central Themes 1. **[Theme 1]** - [Brief description derived from hook/conflict] 2. **[Theme 2]** - [Second theme] 3. **[Theme 3]** - [Third theme, if applicable] ### Inspirations [List inspirations if provided, or leave as prompt] - - --- ## The World ### Geography Overview [3-4 sentences describing the world's physical layout appropriate to the scale. For continental: describe the main continent. For local: describe the region.] **Scale:** [world_scale] - [What this means for play] ### Major Powers | Power | Type | Region | Status | |-------|------|--------|--------| | [Placeholder] | [Government type] | [Location] | [Current state] | | [Placeholder] | [Government type] | [Location] | [Current state] | | [Placeholder] | [Government type] | [Location] | [Current state] | ### Timeline | Era | Approximate Period | Key Events | |-----|-------------------|------------| | Age of [Myth/Creation] | Ancient past | [World's origin] | | Age of [Growth/Expansion] | [Time period] | [Key developments] | | Current Era | Present | [Current situation from central_conflict] | --- ## Magic & Technology ### Magic **Magic Level:** [magic_level] [2-3 sentences describing how magic works in this world, who can use it, and how society views it - derived from magic_level choice] **Key Questions to Answer:** - Where does magical power come from? - Who can use magic and how do they learn? - What are the costs or limits? - How does society treat magic users? **Magic System(s):** (Create with `/create-entity magic system`) - [[]] ### Technology **Technology Level:** [tech_level] [2-3 sentences describing the technological baseline - what exists, what doesn't, any anachronisms or unique innovations] **Notable Technologies:** - --- ## Cosmology ### The Divine [Placeholder text based on tone - for dark fantasy: "The gods are distant or cruel..."; for epic fantasy: "A pantheon of gods watches over mortals..."] **Pantheon:** (Create with `/create-entity pantheon`) - [[]] **Key Questions to Answer:** - Do gods exist? Are they active? - How do mortals worship? - What happens after death? ### Planes of Existence [Default based on scale - if planar: list expected planes; otherwise: "The material world is the focus of this setting."] - ### Creation Myth [2-3 sentence placeholder based on tone] --- ## Current Era ### The State of the World [4-5 sentences expanding on central_conflict - who's involved, what's at stake, how it affects common people, what's the ticking clock] ### Major Conflicts 1. **[Primary Conflict]:** [central_conflict expanded] 2. **[Secondary Conflict]:** [Related or contrasting tension] ### Opportunities for Adventure 1. [Hook derived from conflict] 2. [Exploration opportunity] 3. [Faction-based opportunity] 4. [Mystery or discovery opportunity] --- ## World-Specific Rules ### House Rules D&D 5e 2024 modifications for this setting: - [Based on magic_level - e.g., if magic is rare: "Spellcasting classes require DM approval"] - [Based on tech_level - e.g., if renaissance: "Firearms exist using DMG rules"] - ### Unique Mechanics Setting-specific systems to develop: - [If magic is unusual: "Magic corruption/cost system"] - [If appropriate: "Faction reputation tracking"] - ### Restricted Options [Based on world - species, classes, or backgrounds that don't fit] - --- ## Development Notes ### Priorities What to develop first (recommended based on scale): 1. [If continental/global: "Main continent geography and 2-3 major nations"] [If regional: "The primary region and its major settlement"] [If local: "The main city and its districts"] 2. Pantheon and/or magic system (if magic exists) 3. Central conflict factions and key NPCs 4. 2-3 adventure sites (dungeons, ruins, dangerous locations) ### Questions to Answer Unresolved worldbuilding questions: 1. [Derived from gaps in provided info] 2. [Standard question for the tone/scale] 3. ### Session Zero Topics Discuss with players: - Appropriate character origins - Tone expectations (violence, horror, humor levels) - [Theme-specific topic] - [Conflict-specific topic] --- ## Quick Reference ### Key Locations - [[]] - [Description placeholder] - [[]] - [Description placeholder] - [[]] - [Description placeholder] ### Key Characters - [[]] - [Role placeholder] - [[]] - [Role placeholder] - [[]] - [Role placeholder] ### Key Organizations - [[]] - [Type placeholder] - [[]] - [Type placeholder] - [[]] - [Type placeholder] ### Key Concepts - [[]] - [Magic/religion/culture placeholder] - [[]] - [Placeholder] --- ## Image Prompts ### World Map Concept **Art Style:** [Derived from tone - e.g., "Hand-drawn parchment map with aged edges" for classic fantasy, "Dark atmospheric satellite view" for dark fantasy] **Prompt:** [To be filled when geography is established] ### Iconic Scene **Art Style:** [Tone-appropriate] **Prompt:** [To be filled - depicting the world's hook visually] ``` --- ### Step 6: Create Supporting Files #### 6A: .gitkeep Files Add `.gitkeep` to each empty subdirectory for version control: - Characters/.gitkeep - Settlements/.gitkeep - Items/.gitkeep - Creatures/.gitkeep - Organizations/.gitkeep - Concepts/.gitkeep - History/.gitkeep - Geography/.gitkeep - Encounters/.gitkeep - Maps/.gitkeep - Sessions/.gitkeep #### 6B: Create Session Log Template (Optional) If user seems interested in running games, create `Sessions/Session Log Template.md`: ```markdown --- tags: - session - log session_number: date_played: date_ingame: --- # Session [X]: [Title] ## Summary [2-3 sentence summary of what happened] ## Events 1. 2. 3. ## NPCs Encountered - [[NPC Name]] - [What happened] ## Locations Visited - [[Location]] - [What happened] ## Loot & Rewards - ## Plot Threads ### Advanced - ### Introduced - ### Resolved - ## Notes for Next Session - ``` --- ### Step 7: Confirmation & Next Steps Present a summary and clear next steps: ``` ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ WORLD CREATED: [World Name] ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ Location: Worlds/[World Name]/ ║ ║ ║ ║ Tone: [world_tone] ║ ║ Magic: [magic_level] ║ ║ Tech: [tech_level] ║ ║ Scale: [world_scale] ║ ║ ║ ║ Hook: "[world_hook - truncated]" ║ ║ ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ NEXT STEPS ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ 1. Review and refine World Overview.md ║ ║ ║ ║ 2. Choose your approach: ║ ║ • /generate-world [World Name] ║ ║ Auto-generate 80-120 interconnected entities ║ ║ ║ ║ • /worldbuild [World Name] ║ ║ Interactive guided building with Q&A ║ ║ ║ ║ • /create-entity [description] for [World Name] ║ ║ Create entities one at a time ║ ║ ║ ║ Recommended first entities based on your scale: ║ ║ [Scale-specific recommendations - see below] ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ``` **Scale-specific recommendations:** | Scale | Recommended First Entities | |-------|---------------------------| | Local | Main city → Key district → Central tavern → 3-4 NPCs | | Regional | Region overview → Capital city → 2 other settlements → Government | | Continental | Continent → 3-4 regions → Major nation → Capital city | | Global | World geography → 2 continents → Major nations overview | | Planar | Material plane → 1-2 key planes → Planar connections | --- ## Quick Mode (--quick flag) If `--quick` is in arguments, skip the questionnaire: 1. Create directory structure (same as interactive) 2. Create World Overview with all placeholder text (no filled content) 3. Create .gitkeep files 4. Brief confirmation: ``` World '[World Name]' created at Worlds/[World Name]/ Start by editing World Overview.md to define your world's identity. Commands to continue: - /worldbuild [World Name] - Interactive guided building - /generate-world [World Name] - Auto-generate full world - /create-entity [type] for [World Name] - Create individual entities ``` --- ## Duplicate World Handling If `Worlds/[World Name]/` already exists: ``` A world named '[World Name]' already exists. Options: 1. Open existing - I'll read the World Overview and summarize it 2. New name - Choose a different name for your new world 3. Recreate - Delete existing and start fresh (DESTRUCTIVE) 4. Cancel - Abort world creation What would you like to do? ``` If user chooses "Open existing": - Read World Overview.md - Summarize current state (entities created, status, etc.) - Offer next steps based on world state --- ## Naming Conventions Reference When generating names for entities in this world, consult these reference files: | Reference File | Use For | |----------------|---------| | `Templates/Reference/D&D Species Naming Conventions.md` | Species-specific naming patterns (Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Orcs, etc.) | | `Templates/Reference/Tolkien Naming Conventions.md` | High fantasy linguistic patterns (Sindarin, Quenya, Khuzdul, etc.) | ### When to Apply - **During World Overview generation:** Use naming patterns that match the world's tone and inspirations - **For Major Powers table:** Name kingdoms/empires using appropriate linguistic conventions - **For placeholder entities:** Suggest names consistent with cultural patterns ### Matching Names to Tone | World Tone | Recommended Naming Style | |------------|-------------------------| | Epic Fantasy | Tolkien patterns (Sindarin/Quenya for elves, Norse-inspired for dwarves) | | Dark Fantasy | Harsher variants, Black Speech influences for villains | | Sword & Sorcery | Mixed cultural human names, simpler constructions | | Mythic Fantasy | Quenya (formal/divine), culture-specific for mortals | | Low Fantasy | Historical human naming patterns (Germanic, Celtic, Slavic) | | Whimsical Fantasy | Halfling/Gnome patterns, playful constructions | --- ## Integration Notes - World Overview uses `[[wikilinks]]` syntax for Obsidian compatibility - All YAML frontmatter follows template conventions - Folder structure matches category mappings in create-entity skill - Sessions/ folder supports session-prep skill output - Encounters/ folder supports random-encounter skill output - Maps/ folder ready for map templates ## Examples ``` # Interactive creation /create-world Eldoria # Quick creation (no questions) /create-world Shadowmere --quick # Will prompt for name /create-world ```