World Anvil Worldbuilding
@worldanvil.com
Worldbuilding software, campaign manager and novel writing software. Created by two nerds, run with love & passion, supported by the friendliest community on the internet 🥰🥳 Learn more at www.worldanvil.com
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Worldbuilding Guide: Create A Fantasy Setting
This worldbuilding guide explains the 4 types of worlds, common beginner mistakes, and a step-by-step approach to create a setting for your game, campaign, or novel.
academy.worldanvil.com
We promise, you don’t have to learn orbital mechanics, plate tectonics, or evolutionary biology to build a believable fantasy world. This step-by-step guide covers the basics—from "I have a cool idea" to avoiding common pitfalls.
Great campaign ideas guide your narrative choices, help you avoid predictable cliches, and keep your players engaged, and curious. Here are a few brainstorming methods to help you quickly generate a list of BIG IDEAS for your next campaign.
Brainstorm Better D&D Campaign Ideas
A process for generating, tailoring, and selecting the best DnD campaign ideas to ensure an exciting and immersive experience for your group.
academy.worldanvil.com
December 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Great campaign ideas guide your narrative choices, help you avoid predictable cliches, and keep your players engaged, and curious. Here are a few brainstorming methods to help you quickly generate a list of BIG IDEAS for your next campaign.
Magic systems are often the first thing storytellers get excited about when creating a fantasy setting. But they can also be the thing that breaks your story. 😱 This guide can help! From types of magic systems to mechanics and more...
Magic Systems: A Worldbuilder’s Guide
Magic systems are a major aspect of fantasy worldbuilding. This guide explains different types of magic systems, the mechanics of how they work in your stories and games, and other creative considerations.
academy.worldanvil.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Magic systems are often the first thing storytellers get excited about when creating a fantasy setting. But they can also be the thing that breaks your story. 😱 This guide can help! From types of magic systems to mechanics and more...
Whether you're crafting a fantasy or sci-fi novel or a tabletop RPG campaign, a cool macguffin, article or relic can offer an intriguing, irresistible goal for characters to pursue. Here are some ideas to spark your inspiration!
Worldbuilding Treasure: Creating a MacGuffin, Artifact or Relic
MacGuffins, or quest items, are objects that propel your adventure plot. Here's how to create interesting, powerful relics and artifacts worth hunting!
academy.worldanvil.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Whether you're crafting a fantasy or sci-fi novel or a tabletop RPG campaign, a cool macguffin, article or relic can offer an intriguing, irresistible goal for characters to pursue. Here are some ideas to spark your inspiration!
Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass—and evolutionary biology—hold the secret to more dynamic, believable #worldbuilding….
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December 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass—and evolutionary biology—hold the secret to more dynamic, believable #worldbuilding….
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Spotlighting is an essential #worldbuilding technique, helping creators focus efforts on the most impactful parts of their game or novel setting. By developing key locations, you create a rich, immersive setting without becoming overwhelmed.
Spotlighting to Avoid Shallow Worldbuilding
Creating a sense of deep worldbuilding isn't fleshing out every detail. Spotlighting is a method that helps you focus on what matters most.
academy.worldanvil.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Spotlighting is an essential #worldbuilding technique, helping creators focus efforts on the most impactful parts of their game or novel setting. By developing key locations, you create a rich, immersive setting without becoming overwhelmed.
Portal fantasy is a great fit if you’re writing for middle grade & young adults. But more modern stories have given it a grown up spin! Let’s discover what it is, common tropes, examples, and things to watch out for as a worldbuilder.
Worldbuilding Guide to Portal Fantasy
Sick of the real world? Want to escape to a place of wonder and danger? Then climb into this wardrobe as we explore PORTAL FANTASY!
academy.worldanvil.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Portal fantasy is a great fit if you’re writing for middle grade & young adults. But more modern stories have given it a grown up spin! Let’s discover what it is, common tropes, examples, and things to watch out for as a worldbuilder.
It's easy to see why Portal Fantasy is a popular subgenre - it's ✨literally✨ the best of both
worlds!
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worlds!
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December 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
It's easy to see why Portal Fantasy is a popular subgenre - it's ✨literally✨ the best of both
worlds!
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worlds!
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It's easy to see why Portal Fantasy is a popular subgenre - it's ✨literally✨ the best of both worlds! Explore what portal fantasy is, famous examples & common tropes, and where to start worldbuilding (as well as what you can leave for later).
Worldbuilding a Portal Fantasy or Isekai Setting
Portal Fantasy is a popular subgenre for middle grade and young adult audiences, but modern stories have given it a grown-up spin! Explore what portal fantasy is, see some famous examples and common tropes, and learn where to start worldbuilding Portal Fantasy, as well as what you can leave for late
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
It's easy to see why Portal Fantasy is a popular subgenre - it's ✨literally✨ the best of both worlds! Explore what portal fantasy is, famous examples & common tropes, and where to start worldbuilding (as well as what you can leave for later).
We promise, you don’t have to learn orbital mechanics, plate tectonics, or evolutionary biology to build a believable fantasy world. This step-by-step guide covers the basics—from "I have a cool idea" to avoiding common pitfalls.
Worldbuilding Guide: Create A Fantasy Setting
This worldbuilding guide explains the 4 types of worlds, common beginner mistakes, and a step-by-step approach to create a setting for your game, campaign, or novel.
academy.worldanvil.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
We promise, you don’t have to learn orbital mechanics, plate tectonics, or evolutionary biology to build a believable fantasy world. This step-by-step guide covers the basics—from "I have a cool idea" to avoiding common pitfalls.
Why worldbuild religion in your fantasy setting? Because... you want a rich source of motivation, magic & conflict for your novel or campaign characters! Check out this guide to get started ➡️
Worldbuilders Guide to Fantasy Religions
Religion can be a source of motivation, magic & conflict for the characters in your game or novel setting. Here are some resources for worldbuilding one!
academy.worldanvil.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Why worldbuild religion in your fantasy setting? Because... you want a rich source of motivation, magic & conflict for your novel or campaign characters! Check out this guide to get started ➡️
It's cozy season! So let's talk about creating swoon-worthy side characters for your ttRPGs with co-authors of STRIXHAVEN: CURRICULUM OF CHAOS, Amanda Hamon & T. Alexander Stangroom!
Watch live at 10AM PST | 1PM EST | 6PM UK
www.twitch.tv/worlda... OR www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch live at 10AM PST | 1PM EST | 6PM UK
www.twitch.tv/worlda... OR www.youtube.com/watc...
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
It's cozy season! So let's talk about creating swoon-worthy side characters for your ttRPGs with co-authors of STRIXHAVEN: CURRICULUM OF CHAOS, Amanda Hamon & T. Alexander Stangroom!
Watch live at 10AM PST | 1PM EST | 6PM UK
www.twitch.tv/worlda... OR www.youtube.com/watc...
Watch live at 10AM PST | 1PM EST | 6PM UK
www.twitch.tv/worlda... OR www.youtube.com/watc...
It’s the end of the year… which means it’s WorldEmber time! Plus the Articles & World Manager is even more improved, we have announcements for the next Worldbuilding Awards and more!
World Anvil News: December 2025 | World Anvil Blog
Facebook Twitter Pinterest reddit Tumblr It’s the end of the year… which means it’s WorldEmber time! Plus the Articles & World Manager is even more improved, we have announcements for the next Worldbu...
blog.worldanvil.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
It’s the end of the year… which means it’s WorldEmber time! Plus the Articles & World Manager is even more improved, we have announcements for the next Worldbuilding Awards and more!
📍SAVE THIS POST! If you’re worldbuilding a religion, start with these questions!
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December 5, 2025 at 7:01 PM
📍SAVE THIS POST! If you’re worldbuilding a religion, start with these questions!
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Biomes are the natural spaces of a world. But how does ✨magic change a world's 🌿natural environment? Let's talk about how to craft enchanted ecosystems for your fantasy game or novel!
Guide to Biomes in Fantasy Worldbuilding - World Anvil Worldbuilding Academy
Let's talk about the major considerations when crafting enchanted ecosystems for your fantasy game or novel setting!
academy.worldanvil.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Biomes are the natural spaces of a world. But how does ✨magic change a world's 🌿natural environment? Let's talk about how to craft enchanted ecosystems for your fantasy game or novel!
A second world setting is a BIG undertaking, BUT you can get started with just the essentials...
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December 3, 2025 at 10:36 PM
A second world setting is a BIG undertaking, BUT you can get started with just the essentials...
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Organizing your worldbuilding is a HUGE struggle for many fantasy writers & dungeon masters. It's so much information! Here are 2 methods that could help—with extra tips for neurodivergent creators.
Organizing Your World - World Anvil Worldbuilding Academy
Organizing your world is key to unlocking its full potential. Let’s dive into why, when, and how to keep your worldbuilding project on track!
academy.worldanvil.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Organizing your worldbuilding is a HUGE struggle for many fantasy writers & dungeon masters. It's so much information! Here are 2 methods that could help—with extra tips for neurodivergent creators.
Tips to make sure your ending really works and is satisfying to your readers. Plus, a WRITING CHALLENGE to help you practise writing different kinds of endings! #writingadvice #shortstory #novelwriting
How to end a story or novel! - World Anvil Worldbuilding Academy
Making sure that the end of your book is worthy of your reader’s journey can be a real challenge! This article will help.
academy.worldanvil.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Tips to make sure your ending really works and is satisfying to your readers. Plus, a WRITING CHALLENGE to help you practise writing different kinds of endings! #writingadvice #shortstory #novelwriting
Different lengths of fiction have different markets—and audiences! It’s helpful to know what options exist & how the market works for those options! #writingadvice #novelwriting #shortstory #flashfiction #drabble #microfiction
How long should your story be? | Word count for novels, novellas and short fiction - World Anvil Worldbuilding Academy
How long should your story be? This resource includes the most standard word counts for each type of story length, from microfiction to novels!
academy.worldanvil.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Different lengths of fiction have different markets—and audiences! It’s helpful to know what options exist & how the market works for those options! #writingadvice #novelwriting #shortstory #flashfiction #drabble #microfiction
Ever wondered when you should worldbuild
your novel setting? Before you write? While you write?
Or after?
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your novel setting? Before you write? While you write?
Or after?
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November 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Ever wondered when you should worldbuild
your novel setting? Before you write? While you write?
Or after?
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your novel setting? Before you write? While you write?
Or after?
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We have big dreams for our creative work. But as the year winds down... life often gets messy. Join Janet & guest @sandratayler.bsky.social author of Structuring Life to Support Creativity, as they discuss how to stay creative when life gets CHAOTIC.
WATCH HERE -> www.youtube.com/watc...
WATCH HERE -> www.youtube.com/watc...
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
We have big dreams for our creative work. But as the year winds down... life often gets messy. Join Janet & guest @sandratayler.bsky.social author of Structuring Life to Support Creativity, as they discuss how to stay creative when life gets CHAOTIC.
WATCH HERE -> www.youtube.com/watc...
WATCH HERE -> www.youtube.com/watc...
Ever wondered when you should worldbuild your novel setting? Before you write? While you write? Or after? Janet gives you a framework to test, tweak & make your own, whether you're a plotter, pantser or something in-between!
WATCH NOW ➡️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwpM...
WATCH NOW ➡️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwpM...
Should you worldbuild your novel setting first? | Where to start worldbuilding for writers
YouTube video by World Anvil Worldbuilding
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Ever wondered when you should worldbuild your novel setting? Before you write? While you write? Or after? Janet gives you a framework to test, tweak & make your own, whether you're a plotter, pantser or something in-between!
WATCH NOW ➡️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwpM...
WATCH NOW ➡️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwpM...
There's no getting around it: becoming a dungeon master is intimidating. And running the game IS a lot of effort—but when you create an epic experience, it's also incredibly satisfying! Here's some practical advice to help you get started!
How to Start Dungeon Mastering - World Anvil Worldbuilding Academy
Whether you're stepping into this role for the first time or looking to refresh your skills after a long break, you'll find practical advice and resources to help you succeed.
academy.worldanvil.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
There's no getting around it: becoming a dungeon master is intimidating. And running the game IS a lot of effort—but when you create an epic experience, it's also incredibly satisfying! Here's some practical advice to help you get started!
Themes can help your writing and worldbuilding feel cohesive—and keep YOU focused. They ensure you purposefully build out your setting or story with elements YOU find meaningful. Here are a few themes to help inspire you as you tackle your creative goals! academy.worldanvil.c...
November 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Themes can help your writing and worldbuilding feel cohesive—and keep YOU focused. They ensure you purposefully build out your setting or story with elements YOU find meaningful. Here are a few themes to help inspire you as you tackle your creative goals! academy.worldanvil.c...
Theme is often the missing ingredient in rejected fantasy & scifi short stories.
November 18, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Theme is often the missing ingredient in rejected fantasy & scifi short stories.
Theme is the missing ingredient in many rejected short stories. Especially in fantasy & sci-fi, where writers fall in love with their premise. Learn the difference between premise and theme, how to spot a missing or mangled theme, and how to fix it. ➡️ youtu.be/ULWK2QtupY4
Why Your Sci-Fi or Fantasy Stories Get Rejected
YouTube video by World Anvil Worldbuilding
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Theme is the missing ingredient in many rejected short stories. Especially in fantasy & sci-fi, where writers fall in love with their premise. Learn the difference between premise and theme, how to spot a missing or mangled theme, and how to fix it. ➡️ youtu.be/ULWK2QtupY4