The 5-Part Writing Special, Part 2: World/Setting

Welcome everyone, for the second round!  I'm quite glad you came back.  :)  (Even though my worldbuilding abilities stink.)

Because my worldbuilding is so poor, I've limited this post to the kingdom of Raybir (which is where the story starts off, and where I've done the most worldbuilding).

What would we immediately notice upon stepping into your storyworld?  (What would stand out the most?)

The colors.  I'm not sure if that is what stands out for everyone, but it's what stands out for Marywyn, and since I've been looking at the world through her eyes, that is what I often think of when I imagine what it would be like to be in Raybir.

The Raybirn people love to grow things, especially flowers, and also enjoy dressing in bright colors.  In the springtime, there is so much color it could make your eyes hurt, what with plants everywhere, growing on houses and lining roads and fields.  The doors and roofs and window frames are painted in bright colors.  Dresses, scarfs, pants, shirts, capes, any article of clothing - is a bright dye (unless you live in one of the outlying villages, in which case, you wear homespun brown wool).

What place in this world (Earth) reminds you most of your world? (Or provide a picture that you think best defines your story world.)

So I came across this picture in my internet searching, and this really gave me a "yes! that's what it's like!" moment.  Apparently this pictures was taken in Alsace, France?  But I don't know much about it otherwise.  It certainly is beautiful, though.

Are there specific foods/dining habits particular to this world?

Believers pray before their meals.  :)

Raybir is a farming kingdom, with no ocean access (so minimal seafood), so there is a large variety of small animals (with some sheep) to be found on the table, with lots of fruits and vegetables.  Even the poor are able to get small animals and some basic vegetables and fruits grown, so even common villagers feast quite well.

Are there biases in your world, and how do they define the people? Is there a class structure and how would it affect the characters?

Raybir is a fairly small kingdom, and honestly, the people are known for being very friendly and peace-loving.  Because farmers are the main source of income (and take up at least half of the population), such people are not looked down upon, and it is, in turn, those with Royal Blood who are often scorned.

Though, to be honest, most of those with Royal Blood don't care.  They're too happy with their parties and lazy pastimes to care what the rest of the population is saying about them.

Outsiders, however, are viewed upon with suspicion until they prove themselves to be hard-working and fairly friendly.  Anything strange is often feared.  Change is also avoided. 

What belief structures/ worldviews do your characters hold?  What are some philosophies of your story?

Marywyn and a number of her family, friends, and companions are worshippers of God.  While not many in Raybir are followers of Him, the believers are not persecuted, but simply looked upon in a "your life, I'll leave you to it, but I think you're wasting your time" way.  This often leads to believers not taking their worship and faith seriously.

As Marywyn learns and grows through the trilogy, she will learn that worshiping and following the Lord is more important than anything else, and that if that is first, everything else will follow.

Describe the general infrastructure (i.e., cities and what are those like?)  What are the main locations in your story?  (Bonus points: include a map.)

In Raybir, the Royal City, Surey, lies close to the middle of the kingdom, on a great plain, surrounded by farm land.  Smaller cities and towns can be found scattered throughout the rest of the kingdom, and unnamed villages and settlements on the outskirts.

Marywyn originally is from one of the unnamed farming villages close to the border, but when it is attacked and burned to the ground, she goes to the Royal City for safety.  Most of the action in the first book takes place in Raybir, but there is quite a lot of running around in the other two books.

How is trade carried out through the story world, and how do the cities and nations interact with each other?

Because Raybir is completely land-bound, they do most of their trading with Ristor, the other High House.  Ristor happens to have ocean access, and therefore is a great trading center, with a number of sea ports.  While Ristor is mostly forests and poor-farm land, they get most of their wealth through trading with Raybir and neighboring kingdoms.  The Rochen, on the other side of the mountains, are known for their mines and their precious metals.

So when these kingdoms all stand at odds...trade suffers pretty badly...But when everyone is at peace, there is great trade to be had.

Are there any special or unique traditions or ceremonies that your world is known for?

The farming towns and villages all celebrate the coming of Spring and the end of Winter.  And they have barn-raisings and corn-shuckings, and such events.  In the Royal City, there is a yearly Pie festival (yum!), monthly balls for those with Royal Blood (and usually the wealthiest merchants and farmers go too), along with other festivals.

The War Band warriors have a unique way of getting their Captains - there are eight bands, and when a warrior would like to be a Captain, he has to Challenge the Captain of his choice.  If he succeeds in winning the fight (no blood must be shed, but someone must be disarmed), he becomes the new Captain, and the previous moves down in rank to become a common warrior.  If the challenger looses, everyone keeps their original place.

Are there any significant historical events which affected the way your story world is now?

I haven't done much by way of history for this world yet, but I do know that a long time ago, Raybir and Ristor were one kingdom.  The King had two sons, and so the kingdom was split into two, so each son had his own land to rule.

(And I'll also add that in a previous age, God sent His Son to die for His Chosen people.  And since then, the Stewards have been traveling the lands, preaching repentance and teaching the Bible.) 

What do you love most about your world?

The music.  It joins people together, be it a rousing ballad sung at an inn, a simple melody whistled while on horseback, or the Psalms sung together at worship services.  No matter what land the characters come from, they all speak the language of music, and can share that together.

There you have it.  My attempt at worldbuilding.  :)  Be sure to check out everyone else and see what amazing talent is out there!  Links will be updated as available: Sarah, Gray, Faith, Keturah, Evan, Lila, Snaps, Jem, Catherine.