These world building prompts come from 3000 World Building Prompts, which you can get at Amazon. This section is focused on creating sovereign powers like kingdoms, democracies, dictatorships, and more.
- What is the name of this sovereign power?
- Are there any nicknames for it?
- Will you set scenes here or only mention this place?
- Will characters be from here?
- Is there a state religion?
- Has this power built/destroyed anything and what/why?
- And what did people think of that?
- What is the power famous/infamous for?
- Is this power feared and by whom?
- Is this power admired and for what?
- Is this power influential and in what way(s)?
- Who is a famous/infamous resident?
- Which products is the power known for producing?
- What is the power’s symbol?
- What are the power’s official colors?
- Does the power have a slogan?
- How old is it?
- Which parts of it existed first?
- What are the primary world views of this power?
- Does the world view of those in power conflict with that of the population, or major portions of it?
- Does the world view today differ from the world view espoused by the power’s creators?
- If so, how are these differences affecting daily life and tensions?
Population
- Which species created this power?
- What percentage of each species lives here?
- Are any species outlawed or discriminated against and why?
- Are there areas where some species are found in but not others?
- Which race’s culture dominates this power?
- Is this a highly populated power?
- What ethnic groups live in each region?
- Is there an official language and what is it?
- What languages are spoken here?
- Are any languages restricted/forbidden and why?
- Have the dominant languages changed so that older ones are still inscribed in public places or possibly defaced as a result?
- What sort of freedoms exist here?
- What restrictions of restrictions exist here?
- In recent years, is the population shifting from rural to urban or vice versa?
- How much immigration from other powers is occurring?
- Which way is the immigration happening? Are more people coming than going? What is the reason?
- To/from which other powers is this happening and in what percentages?
- How do people feel about foreigners?
- Which areas have the most foreigners?
- Why do they congregate there, or is the government controlling that? Why?
- Why do foreigners come here?
- Is there a dream or vision of what life will be like?
- Is that met with reality or not?
- Who is responsible for creating the dream and any disparity between it and reality?
- Are all foreigners treated equally or are some considered better than others?
- Are some reduced to menial labor? Which ones?
- Is the discrimination based on race, class, or another factor?
- Are there any restrictions on carrying or using weapons?
- Who do people do for fun?
- What games are common or rare?
- How common is crime in the power?
- How tall do people tend to be here?
- How fit are they?
- What hair colors are common and what stands out?
- What about eye colors?
Government
- If this is an authoritative state, is it an autocracy, totalitarian, dictatorship, or authoritarian government?
- If the latter, is the state only concerned with controlling political aspects, or do they also control other elements of society? Which ones and to what degree?
- Do people routinely disappear?
- If this is a dictatorship, who is the dictator and how did they come to power?
- How do they maintain power?
- Is the dictator only a figurehead controlled by an inner circle?
- If so, who comprises the inner circle?
- What do they want?
- How long has the dictator been in power?
- Is this a stable or unstable dictatorship?
- Is this part of an empire, federation, confederation, or unitary state?
- If so, what can they self-govern? What can’t they?
- Can this power voluntarily leave?
- Are they in good standing?
- What countries are currently in it?
- What sovereign powers left and how long ago?
- What happened when they left and why did they?
- If this is an empire, how long has it existed? When did it first conquer another power, and which one was it?
- Which powers does it control now?
- Have any powers left the empire and what happened when they did?
- Is there an empire that has fallen?
- If so, what aspects of modern life are still influenced by it?
- Is the empire still expanding or is it in decline?
- If this is a monarchy, is it an absolute or constitutional one?
- If constitutional, who is the Prime Minister?
- Are there other ministers (Minister of Magic) and what are their titles and roles?
- Does the divine right of kings exist here?
- What is the line of succession and is it currently under dispute?
- Is this an oligarchy, and what kind (theocracy, aristocracy, military junta, etc.)?
- If this is a democracy, what laws are supposed to apply to everyone but don’t?
- Is the balance of power in the democracy under threat?
- Is this democracy one that others aspire to be like?
- Is this a direct democracy or indirect?
- Is this a parliamentary or presidential democracy?
- What are the major political parties and what agendas are they currently pursuing?
- What are their agendas?
- Are the parties currently functional or dysfunctional?
- Is the government paralyzed by political fighting?
- Is there a new political force?
- If so, what is its agenda?
- How successful or disruptive is it?
- What ideas are considered conservative or liberal?
- Are people satisfied with the government or disgusted?
- What societal ills persist?
- What special interest groups hold influence and to what end, and is this known?
- How is time measured here? What event is Year 1 to them?
- What events led to its form of government?
- How long has this been the form of government?
- What is the most previous form of government?
- Is the head of state a different person than the head of government?
- Who is currently head of state?
- Who is currently the head of government?
- Can the head of government sign laws into existence by themselves?
- Can they be booted from office? By congress or a popular vote?
- Are they protected from prosecution?
- Can they be executed? Has one? Who and for what?
- Can they raise and lower taxes?
- Do they need permission or cooperation from others in government to get things done?
- Can they get away with conflicts of interest?
- Can they declare war?
- Can they suppress or oppress the media, communications, and the people?
- Are there exceptions to any of this?
- Who takes over if the head of government is incapacitated?
- Is the head of state ceremonial only or do they keep some powers? Which ones?
- How much conflict exists between the head of state and the head of government?
- Do residents respect or like the head of state?
- Do residents respect or like the head of the government?
- Which sovereign powers recognize this one is sovereign?
- Which sovereign power does not recognize that this one is sovereign?
- Are there groups within this power that dispute its sovereignty?
- Is there a territory within it where sovereignty is disputed?
- What aspects of life does the government control?
- What services (such as school, drinking water) does the government provide?
Magic and Technology
- Is magic championed, outlawed, or something in between?
- How technologically advanced is this power?
- Are any technologies outlawed or championed here?
- Has this power been given credit for a magical or technological invention or discovery and what is it?
- Is magic or technological training available?
- If so, in what?
- How extensive is it?
- Do people come here for it or go elsewhere for it?
- Is this power considered formidable because of either?
- Where is the center of magical or technological power?
Military Might
- Is this a seafaring power?
- Is this a spacefaring power?
- Is this a military power?
- How well trained is the military?
- How well organized is the military?
- Are there standing forces or must an army be cobbled together when needed?
- Which races are allowed/forbidden in the military?
- Which armed forces types are here (army, navy, knights, etc.)?
- What level of fortifications is the power capable of?
- For either, is it dominant or dominated, and with who?
- Has it conquered other territories or powers, or lost them, and from/to whom?
- Does it covet any location, and why?
- Has a famous battle involved this power and in what way?
- Are the weapons and defenses of this power superior, inferior, or the same as allies and enemies?
- What sort of siege engines are available?
- What weapons of mass destruction are available?
- Is there such a thing as a war crime or is it anything goes?
- How much spying takes place within this country?
- Are the targets of spying domestic and foreign?
- Is the spying in person or magical/technological?
- How are caught spies treated?
Location
- Which continent(s) is the power on?
- If multiple, where did it start, and to where did it expand?
- Where on the continent(s) is it?
- Is it landlocked?
- Does it control the entire continent/planet?
- Are there nameable regions?
- What are the climates in each region?
- What land features/terrain are with in it?
- Are there any land features or terrain that don’t exist within its territory?
- What land features border it and where?
- Does it dispute control over a land feature?
- Is a land feature important to it and why?
- What is the capital and where is it?
- What are the major settlements and their location?
- What unique places exist within the power?
- What are the most common points of entry for visitors?
- How hard is it to immigrate here? Why?
- Is there a sacred site here, such as a significant battle location?
- What resources lie within the territory of this power?
- What of them are rare?
- Are any of them in contested lands and if so, who is contested it?
- What is the strength of this contest?
- How is that contested territory being handled?
- Is this important enough that war looms or has broken out before?
- How recently, if ever, has this territory changed hands and with whom?
Relationships
- Are there any organizations that have a foothold here, and why?
- Have any organizations been eradicated?
- Are any organizations trying to gain a foothold and why?
- With what sovereign powers does this one have good/poor relations with and why?
- What powers border this one and where are they located?
- Are there ambassadors for other powers?
- If so, are there laws dictating what rights ambassadors have?
- What happens when those laws are violated?
- Do ambassadors from other powers have designated homes or territory in this one?
- What are the existing treaties between this and other powers?
Business and Work
- Are imports and exports tightly controlled?
- Do businesses need a license to operate?
- Are there any regulations businesses must follow?
- Are businesses required to keep records? For how many years?
- How are records kept?
- Do cartels exist?
- How much smuggling occurs?
- Is there a merchant class and how powerful is it?
- What rights do members of that class enjoy?
- Can people change professions?
- How do people gain the skills needed to enter a profession? Apprenticeship? School?
- How long is the typical work week here, in days and hours?
- Do people take a siesta?
- What professions do very well/poorly here?
- What notable holidays or festivals exist and when/where do they occur?
- Are there areas that specialize in a trade, being known for it?
- Are there limits on how large a building can be?
- If so, what is the limit?
- Why does that limit exist?
- Is there a typical floor plan?