In this most recent episode of the podcast Seth and I discuss Infinity and its impact on narrative. Because the concept of Infinity is, in itself, unfathomable, it serves nicely as a stand in for absolute mystery, which can be a nice touch for a new world. I’ve been obsessed, in a small way, with this concept for a while. Partly inspired, though I don’t say it in the episode, by Dishonored and their whales. You can read all about them by rifling through books in game, as one does when they’re on clandestine assassination missions. When I say ‘all about them’ I mean ‘almost nothing’ because the data is thin on the ground. We know they have some association with magic and they have more intelligence than the beasts they’re painted to be and we see them floating around in The Void so they probably have something to do with that realm. Creepy.

This is where infinity comes in. If you’re a fan of the show you know that I’m a little enamored with the concept of ‘wonder’ and nothing says ‘wonder’ like infinity.  In short: I like not knowing almost as much as I like knowing. The whales are like this. Unfathomable curiosities we only witness in passing but their impact is felt throughout the game. This is Worldbuilding excellence right here.  We love to talk about infinity. I’m not sure infinity is really what I mean so much as ‘unknown’ or, perhaps even better, ‘unknowable’. It’s part of the human obsession with Space. I want to build a world that has unknowable reaches that intersects my world but exists like an ever present shadow in the peripheral vision of my narrative.

Stay tuned for more writing from the WorldCraft Club as we explore worldbuilding and the crafting of fictional settings to inspire your creativity.

We’re happy to host guest blogs on here whenever we can, it gives James a break and let’s other people contribute their ideas. Let us know if you have a worldbuilding concept or strategy to get off your chest, we’d love to hear it.