Creating a World

PhranqenLu have put in extensive effort creating a world in the space in which Blueprints of Destruction takes place, carefully refining even the smallest details in order to craft a world that holds the most immersive experience possible. An example of an establishing background system has to do with one of the various ranking systems inside a part of the governmental structure. Ultimately this information doesn't change the story, does not matter in the grand scheme, and the reader never even needs to know the specifics. Having said that, it is important to know how this works for consistency, even if it is little more than casual conversation between two people, or someone's name plate on the outside of their door.

These were the initial notes put into Storystorm as the root principal, if for no other reason than to get the idea on paper to come revisit later. As you will see, the initial tiny thoughts were expanded, and grew into much more developed thoughts.

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The following is the information contained in the image to the right in a more readable format:

1 Squadron
2 First Sgts
1 weapons wing mgr
3 leads

2 ea - 6 overall
11 ea - 88 overall

These were loose notes, based on a real-world rank-and-file setup. While clearly not enough to be able to flesh out an entire system, it was a good dog-ear to revisit and develop further. The best way to make a grounded environment for your characters (and readers) is to take small bits of information from your tangible day-to-day life and transform them into a solid foundation for creating a world.

PhranqenLu often takes down small nuggets of information, knowing those notes may never be revisited. More often than not, however, those pieces of information are useful, even if it takes longer than expected to finally fit into place.

As a small example among many, this initial concept was revisited later, and delved into deeper. This concept is far from finished, with many more elements still to be added. The rough notes above were able to transform from six bullet points of rough, raw notes into a working system. Even fragments of an idea can transform into systemic world design that is far more developed and useable.

Refining the Process

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Interpreter Guild Hierarchy :
Interpreter Recruit “Recruit”
Level 1 Interpreter “One”
Level 2 Interpreter “Two”
Senior Interpreter “Senior” or “Interpreter” depending on rank?
Bodyguard “bodyguard”
First Class Bodyguard “bodyguard”
Head Guard “Guard”
Senior Head Guard “Senior” regardless of who is speaking
Technical Enforcer “Tech”
Enforcer “Enforcer”
Chief master “Chief”
Headmaster “Master”

E1 AB
E2 AMN                                          AIRMAN
E3 AMN 1st
E4 SR SMN             BUCK SGT
E5 SSGT
E6 TSGT                                          SERGEANTS
E7 MSGT  
E8 SR MSGT                                                              1ST SGT
E9 CHIEF MSGT                              CHIEF

Taking this real-world example of ranks as they apply to their respective applications while creating a world, Phranqenlu decided to develop various rank and title structures for at least of some of the various organizations that will be found throughout the four cities.

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Systems of Ranks
Ricochet
RDM

  • Surgeons
  • Doctors
  1. Ahnian
  2. Gallium
  3. Augmentation
  4. Species
  5. Species (Pediatric)
  • Nurses
  • Admin
  1. Between Doctors and Nurses, there might be Galiumnologists, which might hold their own set of ranks or degrees, Galmeron(ologists) might be niche (or black market) enough to either not exist or have a variation of its less illicit counterpart.
  • Experimentalist
  1. Interrogation
  2. Experimentation
  3. Pure Academia (AKA Torture with the intent to test extreme results)
  • Engineers
  1. Food
  2. Structural
  3. Transit
  4. Gallium
  5. Augmentation
    Installation vs. Maintenance (and of course development)

Slaves

  • No life rights
  • Partial Life Rights
  • Full Life Rights
  • Untouchable Slaves (actually have higher life rights than the average citizen)
  • Indentured (Might have a larger variety of authority/benefits)
    Master (who is over who/ or who is superior in a peer group)
  • Who's slave you are would provide varying levels of authority or benefit.

Mob

  • Families
  • Slave Affiliation
  • Job Titles
    May have their own set of ranks

Pirate

  • Roles
  • Length of Time
  • Number of Conflicts
  • Tonnage moved

Enforcers (See Storystorm volume one, pg 41) [Guild]

  • Navy
  • Vats (Possibly the Same)
  • Ricochet
    In other words, the ground forces, navy, and ricochet.

Politicians would have titles based on what they rule over, rather than actually having ranks.

Royals are generally above any ranking system (comparable to Greek or Roman gods) and would most likely be associated with their spheres of influence. They are either bestowed "Royal" status, or they may take the position by force.

The totality of the prior notes were able to be taken and used as inspiration to more fully develop ranking and labeling systems for many different subgroups throughout a greater entirety of the story. When even small details are fleshed out, your world can end up with a more authentic and cohesive feel. With more complete worldbuilding lying in the subtext of your writing, the reader is able to unconsciously pick up on these details, and the result is that your world is more grounded and realistic.