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The "Daily" Worldbuilding Prompt
- Thread starter Ban
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #182
The times I've had reason to desribe breakfast in my stories, it's usually been pretty much a traditional Irish fry-up.
I bet your characters don't mind. Irish breakfasts are great.
Orc Knight
Auror
Most of mine appear to be to be western style breakfasts. Fortunately I have a description handy, though one you may have read.
Said food turned out to be a tin platter full of fried eggs, hashed potatoes, sausages and bacon smothered in gravy and a side of cheese and bread. It was a ridiculously large meal, but she began to eat it anyways. And to her surprise, she finished it. And three cups of the tea.
I will grant this is a hangover meal, for an elf. Otherwise it's not too different. Sausages are standard as they're quick and easy eating along with bread and gravies aren't at all out of place. Tea's and even beer's are drank regularly. And there's also breakfast pastries (and cops to go with them of course) and coffee's and the like.
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ScaryMJDiamcreep
Troubadour
Finally done with my exams, so I can answer these now.
Since there's a deity of healing, there has to be a plague-bringer deity, due to the way my deities work, so I can't go with the option of having diseases not be a thing, and it would be pointless to have diseases be real without having there be some kind of major plague, but I can't think of anything.
The best I have is that there would be some kind of disease that can only affect Duongels, and any other race with feathered wings, that causes their feathers to fall out, which is annoying for them, especially if the ability to fly is very important to a person's lifestyle and/or job.
There might be diseases that simulate the effect of a Duongel bringing their bodies too far away from each other, and generally the best thing to do if someone gets that would be to handcuff the two bodies together, then try to avoid any physical contact with them. Unsure whether humans would be able to catch that, but if they can, it would probably be fatal.
Back to the ones I have to come up with answers for on the spot .-.
Since there's a deity of healing, there has to be a plague-bringer deity, due to the way my deities work, so I can't go with the option of having diseases not be a thing, and it would be pointless to have diseases be real without having there be some kind of major plague, but I can't think of anything.
The best I have is that there would be some kind of disease that can only affect Duongels, and any other race with feathered wings, that causes their feathers to fall out, which is annoying for them, especially if the ability to fly is very important to a person's lifestyle and/or job.
There might be diseases that simulate the effect of a Duongel bringing their bodies too far away from each other, and generally the best thing to do if someone gets that would be to handcuff the two bodies together, then try to avoid any physical contact with them. Unsure whether humans would be able to catch that, but if they can, it would probably be fatal.
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TheCrystallineEntity
Istar
Question 29: What will be served for a typical breakfast?
Oh, goody. Food is fun.
It's funny; breakfast is rarely mentioned in books. Lunch and maybe supper sometimes, but otherwise there seems to be a shortage of breakfasts.
Typically, anyone in the OmniCosmos can make whatever they want for the morning meal. No meat, of course, so it's all fruit and nuts and cereal and bread, that sort of thing. Oh, and waffles.
Oh, goody. Food is fun.
It's funny; breakfast is rarely mentioned in books. Lunch and maybe supper sometimes, but otherwise there seems to be a shortage of breakfasts.
Typically, anyone in the OmniCosmos can make whatever they want for the morning meal. No meat, of course, so it's all fruit and nuts and cereal and bread, that sort of thing. Oh, and waffles.
- Thread starter
- #186
Standard breakfasts in the future of the Netherlands should remain largely the same. Loads of coffee, and either hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles) on bread, or cheese on bread.
Question 30: Where do people get the news? (Do they have an established media system, or is it word of mouth, or... ?)
Question 30: Where do people get the news? (Do they have an established media system, or is it word of mouth, or... ?)
Orc Knight
Auror
Through crier, announcers and the occasional sheets. The more magical means are scryers and criers through imagery magic to appear in as many places at once. They eventually go up to full on newspaper once they get the whole printing press thing down (part machine, part magic and sapient enough to try to make up it's own stories). They also eventually get media and other shows through use of magic mirrors.
LxOxGxIxA
New Member
I should really get a picture, huh.
It depends on where you are. Out of Ophisteros, Mesiseros and Brostaros, only the first and last are habited.
In Ophisteros, the best place to be would be Cedrus, the Capital of the Cedar Country-Continent. Being the only country so close to the equator it is warmer than the other two continents on Ophsiteros. Cedrus accept visitors by port and boast stone architecture similar to that of the Elizabethan era, past the wooden port stone streets carry tourists between the buildings in various shades of grey unless painted otherwise. It has earned the name "Silver City", though, due to the deliberate action of NOT painting said buildings. There are no skyscrapers in this kind of civilization, the most you will see are banks and other business places towering at the most, four storeys. Merchants line the street as soon as you come off the post, ready to offer you their best in stock.
It's worth it to note the predominantly white population here, aside from tourists the residence of Cedrus Port town is 99.99% Caucasian. Once leaving the port your destination would be the next city over, Cedrus itself. Once in the Port town one will see carriages awaiting passengers and motorcars going to and fro - don't mistake the motorcars for taxis though, only the rich can afford such vehicles. Once you have found a coachman to take you to Cedrus, enjoy the 500km trip within the Railway Walls that protect the flattened dirt road. Before arriving in Cedrus after a lengthy 12 hours of journey, various stops or on the way to allow you to enjoy yourself. Hop out of your carriage and enjoy a skit from a showman, try out the famous flying contraption with a local instructor or stop by some more merchants int he Market Stretch.
Once in Cedrus it continues the Legacy of the "Silver City", this is where the tourism service industry thrives. Countless Restaurants, Parks, Resorts and the like await you. Check into one of the many Lodges available, such as the Premiere Cedar Lodge. Which I'll get into describing when I have some more time.
TheCrystallineEntity
Istar
Question 30: Where do people get the news? (Do they have an established media system, or is it word of mouth, or... ?)
I've never thought about it before. Probably air and wind elementals carry news around from one universe to the next.
I've never thought about it before. Probably air and wind elementals carry news around from one universe to the next.
ScaryMJDiamcreep
Troubadour
While I'm struggling to think of ones specific to my world, I can list some that could be found in the real world that are used slightly differently.
- Bird-brain: used as a way to call someone stupid, just like in the real world. Much more effective against winged races such as Duongels, as it also has the effect of saying "you have wings, therefore you must be a bird".
- "Discount": the word in the Duongel's language that translates to "a**hole". Not settled on how to have them say it(their language has to be impossible for a race with only a single body to speak), but it probably has some kind of harmonic element involved, as well as some kind of body language involving the wings. Only came into existence after humans first came into contact with Duongels, as before then they hadn't thought to insult people in that way(I mean, a**hole is a modern swear anyway, so that's not too hard to believe), and the biggest reason that they have for calling someone that is when a single-bodied person(such as a human) buys only one half of a set at a Duongel clothing store, leaving the other half to be put on a different rack at a "discount" price.
- Split Brains: an insult directed towards Duongels, due to them having one mind shared between two bodies.
- Singleton: used by Duongels to refer to someone of a single-bodied race. Can be a term of endearment sometimes, so you have to watch their tone and body language to know whether or not to be offended. If they say it with both bodies simultaneously, it's definitely intended as an insult.
Vaporo
Inkling
Question 30: Where do people get the news? (Do they have an established media system, or is it word of mouth, or... ?)
In Untia, particularly the nation of Antisa, proper newspapers and printing presses exist that distribute daily or weekly newspapers to all of its subscribers. In the countryside, people still must rely on word of mouth for the most part, but recently some newspapers have found business delivering papers to rural towns. Typically, they only deliver one or two papers per town and the paper is posted in a public space for all to see. In this case, the paper is often received weeks after rumors start to circulate, so the arrival of the paper can be a miniature event where the local gossip is finally put to rest. Bets on which rumors are true are not uncommon.
Two thousand years ago, the Amulkine Empire was connected by portals, through which news could sent around the world in an instant.
In Kumbaska, people must generally rely on word of mouth, but an "official" version of newsworthy events will occasionally be put forth by the Amul, the religious leaders of the region. While most realize that the "official" version is typically some sort of cover-up, they will avoid voicing their doubts withing earshot of a priest, since to question the word of the Amul is technically blasphemy and punishable by death. This particular case of blasphemy usually just results in a brief religious lecture and a command to retract the statement, but the threat is still there and some particularly vindictive priests really will sometimes order an execution.
In Untia, particularly the nation of Antisa, proper newspapers and printing presses exist that distribute daily or weekly newspapers to all of its subscribers. In the countryside, people still must rely on word of mouth for the most part, but recently some newspapers have found business delivering papers to rural towns. Typically, they only deliver one or two papers per town and the paper is posted in a public space for all to see. In this case, the paper is often received weeks after rumors start to circulate, so the arrival of the paper can be a miniature event where the local gossip is finally put to rest. Bets on which rumors are true are not uncommon.
Two thousand years ago, the Amulkine Empire was connected by portals, through which news could sent around the world in an instant.
In Kumbaska, people must generally rely on word of mouth, but an "official" version of newsworthy events will occasionally be put forth by the Amul, the religious leaders of the region. While most realize that the "official" version is typically some sort of cover-up, they will avoid voicing their doubts withing earshot of a priest, since to question the word of the Amul is technically blasphemy and punishable by death. This particular case of blasphemy usually just results in a brief religious lecture and a command to retract the statement, but the threat is still there and some particularly vindictive priests really will sometimes order an execution.
I plan on answering some of the older ones I've missed, but I have a moment and I know this one directly. There are boards and kiosks everywhere which put up daily broadsiders, or posters, with plain factual news on them. And once a week they pass out a bundle of papers that includes news but also commentaries coming from several different sources - anyone who pays a fine and gathers the right signatures and meets their deadlines can have their commentaries included. Most people can read. Those with the right access to magic might also listen to something akin to a radio.
- Thread starter
- #193
Question 31: From the christian cross to the nike icon, our world is filled with recognisable symbols. What are your world's most widespread symbols?
Vaporo
Inkling
Question 31: From the christian cross to the nike icon, our world is filled with recognisable symbols. What are your world's most widespread symbols?
The hron leaf. The hron is a tree believed to have been driven extinct a millenia and a half. It produced enormous amounts of fruit, its wood was strong, and it grew quickly. For those reasons, it was a staple of the diet of the Amulkine Empire. A campaign to drive the trees extinct was launched a few centuries after the collapse of the Empire after its presence was linked to attacks by swarms of enraged Fel. The campaign achieved success by placing tens of thousands of poisoned hummingbird feeders throughout the world, since hummingbirds are the trees' only pollinator.
The Hron Leaf is a long, thin lobe that splits into two separate tips at the end. The Leaf was adopted as the symbol for the religion of the Amul. In other parts of the world where the Amul don't reign, it is often seen as a symbol of evil or misfortune, originating from the hron tree's historical propensity for bringing eventual destruction to whoever planted them.
Since nobody has actually seen a hron tree in over a millenia, the symbol has seen a lot of variation around the world, often being distorted and mutated until it barely resembles the original tree leaf. In Untia, the Leaf's origin is totally forgotten, and it is known only as a vague symbol of misfortune. It is sometimes used to mark passages of text in manuals that could lead to serious consequences if not read closely, so to many it means nothing more than "pay attention here," similar to putting a (!) before a line in a real world instruction manual.
Even since Antisa started cultivating Hron, none recognize the Leaf's true origins. Most dismiss the resemblance between the symbol and the hron leaf as coincidental, although a few particularly superstitious folk will still hold their hand between their eyes and the tree's leaves to ward off evil when they pass by.
The hron leaf. The hron is a tree believed to have been driven extinct a millenia and a half. It produced enormous amounts of fruit, its wood was strong, and it grew quickly. For those reasons, it was a staple of the diet of the Amulkine Empire. A campaign to drive the trees extinct was launched a few centuries after the collapse of the Empire after its presence was linked to attacks by swarms of enraged Fel. The campaign achieved success by placing tens of thousands of poisoned hummingbird feeders throughout the world, since hummingbirds are the trees' only pollinator.
The Hron Leaf is a long, thin lobe that splits into two separate tips at the end. The Leaf was adopted as the symbol for the religion of the Amul. In other parts of the world where the Amul don't reign, it is often seen as a symbol of evil or misfortune, originating from the hron tree's historical propensity for bringing eventual destruction to whoever planted them.
Since nobody has actually seen a hron tree in over a millenia, the symbol has seen a lot of variation around the world, often being distorted and mutated until it barely resembles the original tree leaf. In Untia, the Leaf's origin is totally forgotten, and it is known only as a vague symbol of misfortune. It is sometimes used to mark passages of text in manuals that could lead to serious consequences if not read closely, so to many it means nothing more than "pay attention here," similar to putting a (!) before a line in a real world instruction manual.
Even since Antisa started cultivating Hron, none recognize the Leaf's true origins. Most dismiss the resemblance between the symbol and the hron leaf as coincidental, although a few particularly superstitious folk will still hold their hand between their eyes and the tree's leaves to ward off evil when they pass by.
Orc Knight
Auror
Skulls used to be the most common place, used liberally and nearly everywhere. Be they on totems, flags, on a thorn wreathe stuck on an unhappy unicorn. And most often by the wood elves, seeing as they once built a temple out of skulls. Giant ones, but skulls still. In the current day the most recognizable symbols are the Sunleaf flag (red and green halves split by gold with a golden sun with oak leaf sunbursts), Fisheater flag (black background with white shark jaws), Bloodtusk flag (black and dark green with the bloody tusks of a troll maw), Wave flag (blue and white with a sailing ship that appears to be flying) and the closest thing they have to corporate symbol, a beer bottle with a pink dragon on it.
TheCrystallineEntity
Istar
Question 31: From the christian cross to the nike icon, our world is filled with recognisable symbols. What are your world's most widespread symbols?
Now that I think about it, there aren't really any. Hmm... I'll have to work on that.
Now that I think about it, there aren't really any. Hmm... I'll have to work on that.
elemtilas
Inkling
Ban, this is a wonderful series of questions! I'm so glad you posted them here!
All answers are for The World.
Question 1.
Suppose I'm transported to the most pleasant place in your world; where would I go for lodging, and what should I order off the menu?
You arrive a way outside the great city of Auntimoany. This is a pleasant place. Farm country. The aroma of agriculture wafts around you — this is but preparation for the rather less pleasant odor of a big city! You’ll want to hitch up your rucksack and chalk your walking stick, as you’ve still got a few miles to hike before you get to the city gate. And this ain’t an emerald city and the road isn’t paved with yellow gold bricks! (It is, however, good and well laid stone, serviceable even after thousands of years of traffic.)
The city of Auntimoany always welcomes travellers! And they will always seek to sell you on the best lodgings and cuisine your money can buy! And when you run out of money...well you can always try your luck at a game of chance or sell yourself into debt slavery for a time!
Auntimoany is divided into eight wards. I’d stick with Auntimoany North: that’s where all the money is and where all the tourists stay. Those tourists who’d like to go home again after their holiday, anyway. Try the Broken Pony Inn. It’s at Wharff 6 and is pretty conveniently located to all the touristy places: the Palas (the Empress’s residence, Parliament, the Prime Minister’s house, the Cathedral, the Great Synagogue, Irminsul Place, the Elektrodrome, Heddsoffe! Square, many prominent museums, libraries, philosophical scholia, the House of Opera and more fantastic restaurants and eateris than you can count on all your fingers and toes five times over!
All answers are for The World.
Question 1.
Suppose I'm transported to the most pleasant place in your world; where would I go for lodging, and what should I order off the menu?
You arrive a way outside the great city of Auntimoany. This is a pleasant place. Farm country. The aroma of agriculture wafts around you — this is but preparation for the rather less pleasant odor of a big city! You’ll want to hitch up your rucksack and chalk your walking stick, as you’ve still got a few miles to hike before you get to the city gate. And this ain’t an emerald city and the road isn’t paved with yellow gold bricks! (It is, however, good and well laid stone, serviceable even after thousands of years of traffic.)
The city of Auntimoany always welcomes travellers! And they will always seek to sell you on the best lodgings and cuisine your money can buy! And when you run out of money...well you can always try your luck at a game of chance or sell yourself into debt slavery for a time!
Auntimoany is divided into eight wards. I’d stick with Auntimoany North: that’s where all the money is and where all the tourists stay. Those tourists who’d like to go home again after their holiday, anyway. Try the Broken Pony Inn. It’s at Wharff 6 and is pretty conveniently located to all the touristy places: the Palas (the Empress’s residence, Parliament, the Prime Minister’s house, the Cathedral, the Great Synagogue, Irminsul Place, the Elektrodrome, Heddsoffe! Square, many prominent museums, libraries, philosophical scholia, the House of Opera and more fantastic restaurants and eateris than you can count on all your fingers and toes five times over!
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elemtilas
Inkling
Question 2.
Wandering through one of your world's cities, a thief steals my wallet. I report the incident to a local authority. Who would that be, and what will (or won't) they do about my stolen wallet?
Ah, by that time, sorry to say, you’re too late to really do much. What you should ought to have done is immediately make a scene. Raise the hue and cry! The people of Auntimoany love street theatre and will almost magically forma circle around you and the thief. Caught red handed, they will most likely prevent his escape while you enact a bit of justice on him. You know, rough him up a bit, maybe thock his kneecaps with your cudgel. They aren’t blood thirsty per se. But they are very keen on Justice being served. If Justice happens to be served to the criminal that did the crime, well, so much the better. You just have to lay into him until the City Watch appear. And they always appear. Watchmen love a good bit of street theatre as much as any man!
Wandering through one of your world's cities, a thief steals my wallet. I report the incident to a local authority. Who would that be, and what will (or won't) they do about my stolen wallet?
Ah, by that time, sorry to say, you’re too late to really do much. What you should ought to have done is immediately make a scene. Raise the hue and cry! The people of Auntimoany love street theatre and will almost magically forma circle around you and the thief. Caught red handed, they will most likely prevent his escape while you enact a bit of justice on him. You know, rough him up a bit, maybe thock his kneecaps with your cudgel. They aren’t blood thirsty per se. But they are very keen on Justice being served. If Justice happens to be served to the criminal that did the crime, well, so much the better. You just have to lay into him until the City Watch appear. And they always appear. Watchmen love a good bit of street theatre as much as any man!
elemtilas
Inkling
Question 3.
I dive to the bottom of the sea. What wonders, treasures and curiosities will I find on the sea floor?
Well, off the coasts of Auntimony, you’ll very likely dive into the Country of the Polupodes. Very formal and respectable folk, for all they have tentacles and squishy bodies. When you meet one of their knights — you can tell on account of the conch shell helmet and stitched shark scale armour — make sure you bow your head elegantly and spread your arms and legs as gracefully as you can. Very courtly, that. They like bits of shiny. They like fresh seafood. Bring some coloured glass baubles and and assortment of clam and oyster dainties and you’ll be hailed as a noble and wandering prince!
I dive to the bottom of the sea. What wonders, treasures and curiosities will I find on the sea floor?
Well, off the coasts of Auntimony, you’ll very likely dive into the Country of the Polupodes. Very formal and respectable folk, for all they have tentacles and squishy bodies. When you meet one of their knights — you can tell on account of the conch shell helmet and stitched shark scale armour — make sure you bow your head elegantly and spread your arms and legs as gracefully as you can. Very courtly, that. They like bits of shiny. They like fresh seafood. Bring some coloured glass baubles and and assortment of clam and oyster dainties and you’ll be hailed as a noble and wandering prince!
elemtilas
Inkling
Question 4.
Now stuck in your world, I would like to continue my studies. What university, academy or similar institution would I want to apply for? Where might I actually end up studying?
Depends on your disposition! Generally speaking, you can hardly beat the great University of Auntimoany. You can study any branch of natural philosophy there from philology to panthropology, historiography to philosophical dwimmery, theology to alchemy.
Like many in your position, that is, without position, you’ll probably end up studying at the School of Hard Knocks. Yep, they’ve got a campus in the imperial city, too!
But there are many libraries and scholia and museums where one can engage in independent study. And of course, there are tea houses and socials (a kind of upper class tavern run by Daine) where you can learn all about current affairs.
Now stuck in your world, I would like to continue my studies. What university, academy or similar institution would I want to apply for? Where might I actually end up studying?
Depends on your disposition! Generally speaking, you can hardly beat the great University of Auntimoany. You can study any branch of natural philosophy there from philology to panthropology, historiography to philosophical dwimmery, theology to alchemy.
Like many in your position, that is, without position, you’ll probably end up studying at the School of Hard Knocks. Yep, they’ve got a campus in the imperial city, too!
But there are many libraries and scholia and museums where one can engage in independent study. And of course, there are tea houses and socials (a kind of upper class tavern run by Daine) where you can learn all about current affairs.
