How could I handle a technologically and culturally diverse world such as this one?

[WatermelonPink]

To elaborate on more of what my world is supposed to be, this fantasy world is one that is separated into eight different realms. Connected only by a massive serpent that draws inspiration from Jormungandr of Norse beliefs, each realm has something unique to separate them from the rest. Whether it be in landscape, races, advancements, or more. For example, the main realm that the story takes place in bases itself in a world that is not only inspired by the world of popular video game series Dark Souls but is mainly focused on knights living in a land based on places such as Scandinavia, Ireland, and other similar things. Old Norse is used commonly as a language and the runic symbols are heavily prevalent in said world. Not only that but creatures from Norse mythology or other cultures related to those real places are used such as trolls, lindworms, and dragons.

Each one of them does something like this. One of the realms focuses on plenty of Spanish influence and their landscape primarily draws from places such as Mexico while another realm is considered a 'relative' of sorts to the main one and focuses on basing itself off of Germany. Some may share different creatures, some may have unique ones to them. The one thing most of them all have in common is the fact that they have some number of humans.

That being said, some humans develop faster than others due to various reasons and the most developed one has created various firearms and other things to use while the main realm does not have anything of the sort. Of course, while guns could definitely prove to be unfair for some of these people, there are many ways to keep things in balance such as magic or other means. Not only that, but the realms rarely intersect as traveling between them is a rare ability that very few possess. They do know that all of the other realms exist, however.

I can probably continue to say more if needed, but I tried my best to give the basic idea of how they are and what I meant by technologically diverse when it comes to gun creation and other devices being made before others have even made any progress on things like that. I wanted to know any thoughts on something like this, especially how I could balance it or flesh it out more.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

What kind of guns are we talking about here? Arquebus, musket, rifle, AK47 automatic?
If the guns are limited to the earlier types, then the balance can come between how long it takes reload against how long it takes to string another arrow, or throw a spear or loose a slingshot or whatever weapons the other realms have.

 

[Andy Hauser]

To elaborate on more of what my world is supposed to be, this fantasy world is one that is separated into eight different realms. Connected only by a massive serpent that draws inspiration from Jormungandr of Norse beliefs, each realm has something unique to separate them from the rest. Whether it be in landscape, races, advancements, or more. For example, the main realm that the story takes place in bases itself in a world that is not only inspired by the world of popular video game series Dark Souls but is mainly focused on knights living in a land based on places such as Scandinavia, Ireland, and other similar things. Old Norse is used commonly as a language and the runic symbols are heavily prevalent in said world. Not only that but creatures from Norse mythology or other cultures related to those real places are used such as trolls, lindworms, and dragons.

Each one of them does something like this. One of the realms focuses on plenty of Spanish influence and their landscape primarily draws from places such as Mexico while another realm is considered a 'relative' of sorts to the main one and focuses on basing itself off of Germany. Some may share different creatures, some may have unique ones to them. The one thing most of them all have in common is the fact that they have some number of humans.

That being said, some humans develop faster than others due to various reasons and the most developed one has created various firearms and other things to use while the main realm does not have anything of the sort. Of course, while guns could definitely prove to be unfair for some of these people, there are many ways to keep things in balance such as magic or other means. Not only that, but the realms rarely intersect as traveling between them is a rare ability that very few possess. They do know that all of the other realms exist, however.

I can probably continue to say more if needed, but I tried my best to give the basic idea of how they are and what I meant by technologically diverse when it comes to gun creation and other devices being made before others have even made any progress on things like that. I wanted to know any thoughts on something like this, especially how I could balance it or flesh it out more.

I'm planning to do somewhat the same with my world, so I'll follow your thread if you don't mind.
Not sure if I can bring any wisdom to your question, but my reason for going this route is to give myself a sort of "out" down the road should I ever want to tackle different worlds within the same universe. My world main world is set in the stone age with a very nature-focused magic system. But I'd love to some day also write sci-fi, apocalyptic, and much more. The one thing that'll bind them all together is the magic system.

In terms of balance, I think it's important to establish each sub-world as its own thing, standing on its own legs. And perhaps for the less technologically advanced worlds, you could research how native Americans fought off the Europeans at some battles, and then take those factors and amplify them. Kinda like the Zerg in Starcraft fighting space marines (quantity vs quality). Maybe the more technologically advanced worlds have a weakness to something found in abundance in those less advanced worlds.

 

[WatermelonPink]

What kind of guns are we talking about here? Arquebus, musket, rifle, AK47 automatic?
If the guns are limited to the earlier types, then the balance can come between how long it takes reload against how long it takes to string another arrow, or throw a spear or loose a slingshot or whatever weapons the other realms have.

See, I'm not entirely sure. I thought it would be an interesting idea to have only one of the realms use real guns but I'm still looking into and thinking what may work. I looked into things such as the Berdan rifle so something like that or other weapons in a similar or even older era. I am also a little unsure of how I want guns to work. I keep debating between having them use ammunition like we do or instead having them use the model of a gun as a tool for magic. This idea was going to make it so that although guns existed, they would exist in small quantities due to the fact that not many people can really use magic as they wish. For those that could, they would use guns as a way to keep their magic stable and to use it offensively in a much more controlled way.

 

[Wayne Mack]

Especially as the realms rarely interact, I am not sure exactly what the problem is. To make the particular technical advancement seem plausible, perhaps give each society a unique belief or characteristic that emphasizes its particular technical advance. The gun society might emphasize individuality and an every man for himself belief system. The magical society might be heavily into some religious system. An adrenaline rush based society might have high speed transports, cars or motorcycles or whatever.

Is this sort of what you are looking for?

 

[WatermelonPink]

Especially as the realms rarely interact, I am not sure exactly what the problem is. To make the particular technical advancement seem plausible, perhaps give each society a unique belief or characteristic that emphasizes its particular technical advance. The gun society might emphasize individuality and an every man for himself belief system. The magical society might be heavily into some religious system. An adrenaline rush based society might have high speed transports, cars or motorcycles or whatever.

Is this sort of what you are looking for?

Well, actually, yeah. That was sort of what I had in mind. It was going to be that those who use guns and other firearms would have developed such weapons because they do not have any beliefs. Whereas the main realm in the story is full of people who believe in deities and the idea of divine intervention, gaining the gods' favor, and more, these people instead rely on man alone. They were going to be the people with the least amount of faith in all the realms and would only follow the will of mankind. Their idea that only human hands will pave the way to a greater future and that they can only believe in the hearts of man to help them strive would have pushed them all to work harder until these advancements would be achieved. If that sounds any good, that was the idea at least. I'm just wondering how I would handle all of this like the idea of the technological differences possibly meeting in minor ways.

 

[Susan Boulton]

Just a few words of advice, which you can disregard if you want.

Yes, it is good to plan out your world, for you to know and sort out the whys and wherefores, but remember when you are writing your story, you are viewing your world from your characters' view point. Try to show, what they know, see, do. Their lives, how their world/country affects them. You don't know everything about our world/countries/societies do you? If you try to show too much you will drown your plot in detail.

For example; if your character uses a gun, the normal type of weapon for his country. To him it is just a gun. Unless it is important, don't describe it down to the last detail. The reader knows what a gun is and what it can do.

 

[The Big Peat]

What sort of stories are you planning to write in this world?

 

[Robert Zwilling]

I really like the idea of different types of life in multiple zones all going around the same axis, aware of each other, but no easy way to cross the barriers, or maybe even communicate. Reminds me of Earth. I don't have any advice on weapons.

 

[WatermelonPink]

I really like the idea of different types of life in multiple zones all going around the same axis, aware of each other, but no easy way to cross the barriers, or maybe even communicate. Reminds me of Earth.

Sounds fine by me, glad you like the idea at least.

 

[WatermelonPink]

What sort of stories are you planning to write in this world?

It's a little hard to figure out. I myself am trying to plot it out but I have the basic idea of some sort of adventure. A grand journey developing right alongside a colorful cast of characters who fill various roles in their world.

 

[WatermelonPink]

Just a few words of advice, which you can disregard if you want.

Yes, it is good to plan out your world, for you to know and sort out the whys and wherefores, but remember when you are writing your story, you are viewing your world from your characters' view point. Try to show, what they know, see, do. Their lives, how their world/country affects them. You don't know everything about our world/countries/societies do you? If you try to show too much you will drown your plot in detail.

For example; if your character uses a gun, the normal type of weapon for his country. To him it is just a gun. Unless it is important, don't describe it down to the last detail. The reader knows what a gun is and what it can do.

Thanks for the advice. You're definitely right, I shouldn't be trying to cram too much in when it isn't really necessary and should just focus on the world that my characters can see for themselves.

 

[Wayne Mack]

It's a little hard to figure out. I myself am trying to plot it out but I have the basic idea of some sort of adventure. A grand journey developing right alongside a colorful cast of characters who fill various roles in their world.

It sounds like a Hero's Journey would fit. Some sort of impending doom threatens the world and the protagonist travels from area to area learning diverse things and collecting his fighting crew. In the end each skill and special talent is needed to defeat the enemy.

 

[tinkerdan]

You might take a look at this.

Amazon.com: Implied Spaces eBook : Williams, Walter Jon, Dos Santos, Dan: Kindle Store

Implied Spaces - Kindle edition by Williams, Walter Jon, Dos Santos, Dan. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Implied Spaces.

www.amazon.com

He uses a multi-vers theme that the main character can travers while the separate cultures stay within their universes..