worldbuilding

Worldbuilding

Overview

Create and manage world elements for a story project. Locations and systems (magic, politics, technology, etc.) are stored as markdown files in the worldbuilding/ directory with YAML frontmatter. All elements cross-reference characters and other story elements.

Prerequisites

A story project must already exist (created via the story-init skill). Verify by checking for story.md in the project root.

Creating a Location

1. Read story.md for genre, era, and tone context
2. Read worldbuilding/_index.md for existing locations and systems
3. Ask for the location's name and type (city, fortress, wilderness, etc.)
4. Build the location through conversation, covering:
   • Physical description and atmosphere
   • History relevant to the story
   • Culture and customs of inhabitants
   • Notable features characters will interact with
   • Current state at story's timeline
5. Write the file using references/location-template.md
6. Save to worldbuilding/locations/{name-kebab}.md
7. Update worldbuilding/_index.md locations table
8. If notable characters are listed, verify those character files exist and add location references to them

Creating a System

1. Read story.md for genre and themes context
2. Read worldbuilding/_index.md for existing systems
3. Identify the system type and consult references/world-element-types.md for the relevant prompts
4. Build the system through conversation, addressing the key questions for that type
5. Write the file using references/system-template.md
6. Save to worldbuilding/systems/{name-kebab}.md
7. Update worldbuilding/_index.md systems table
8. Cross-reference with characters who interact with the system (e.g., magic-users for a magic system)

Updating World Elements

1. Read the existing file
2. Make the requested changes
3. If cross-references changed, update the linked files
4. Update worldbuilding/_index.md if name, type, or status changed

Cross-Referencing

• Locations reference characters via notable-characters in frontmatter
• Systems reference practitioners via character tags
• When a location is used in a chapter, the chapter's frontmatter locations field links back
• Keep the worldbuilding/_index.md world overview section current as elements are added

Reference Files

• references/location-template.md - Template for location files
• references/system-template.md - Template for system files
• references/world-element-types.md - Detailed prompts for each system type (magic, political, technology, religion, economic, military, social)