World-Building Guide

Generate a comprehensive world-building document for a fictional setting based on these parameters:

**Genre**: [GENRE, e.g., "High fantasy", "Space opera", "Post-apocalyptic", "Steampunk", "Urban fantasy", "Alternate history"]
**Scale**: [SCOPE, e.g., "A single city-state", "A continent with 5 nations", "A solar system with colonized planets", "A single generation ship"]
**Tone**: [TONE, e.g., "Gritty and realistic", "Epic and mythic", "Darkly humorous", "Wonder-filled and optimistic"]
**Central Conflict** (optional): [THE BIG TENSION, e.g., "A declining empire vs. rising republics", "Magic is fading and no one knows why", "First contact between two civilizations"]
**Inspirations** (optional): [TOUCHSTONES, e.g., "Medieval West Africa meets Greek mythology", "Victorian London if the industrial revolution ran on alchemy", "The Roman Empire in space"]

Generate the following world-building elements:

### 1. Geography and Environment
- Physical landscape: terrain, climate zones, natural resources, notable landmarks
- How geography shapes trade routes, borders, and cultural divisions
- Environmental threats or phenomena unique to this world
- A brief description of 3-4 key locations (a major city, a wilderness, a border region, a sacred or forbidden place)

### 2. Peoples and Cultures
For each major culture or species (2-4):
- Name, physical characteristics (if non-human), population center
- Core values and beliefs: what do they consider admirable? Shameful?
- Social structure: how are power, wealth, and status distributed?
- Distinctive customs, art forms, or daily life details that make them feel real
- Relationship with other groups: alliances, rivalries, trade, prejudice

### 3. Magic System, Technology, or Unique Mechanic
- What makes this world different from our own (magic, advanced tech, altered physics, supernatural elements)?
- Rules and limitations: what can it do, what can it not do, and what does it cost?
- Who has access (everyone, a select few, a particular class)?
- How it shapes society: economic impact, warfare, daily life, social hierarchy
- Unintended consequences or ethical dilemmas it creates

### 4. History and Timeline
- Origin story or creation myth (what the people believe)
- 4-6 major historical events that shaped the current era
- A recent event (within living memory) that is still causing ripples
- What historical grudges, debts, or alliances are active in the "present day"?

### 5. Political and Economic Systems
- How is power organized (monarchy, council, theocracy, corporate oligarchy, tribal federation)?
- What is the basis of the economy (trade, agriculture, mining, magic, information)?
- Who has power and who lacks it? What tensions does this create?
- Current political crisis or instability that could drive a story

### 6. Belief Systems and Mythology
- Dominant religion(s) or philosophical traditions
- How do supernatural/spiritual beliefs interact with the magic system or technology?
- Heretical or minority beliefs that challenge the mainstream
- Rituals, holidays, or practices tied to these beliefs

### 7. Story Seeds
Based on the world you have built, suggest 3 compelling story premises that could only happen in this specific world. Each should combine personal stakes with world-level conflict.

### 8. Consistency Check
Review the world for internal contradictions. Flag any elements that conflict with each other and suggest resolutions. For example: "If the northern kingdom controls all the iron mines, how does the southern republic sustain a standing army? Possible resolution: they have developed bronze alloy alternatives or rely on mercenary companies."