# Artifact Template

Use this template when creating an artifact file at `worldbuilding/artifacts/{artifact-name-kebab}.md`.

```yaml
---
name: "{Artifact Name}"
type: {object|weapon|document|technology|relic|symbol|resource|other}
status: {active|lost|destroyed|hidden|transferred|unknown}
owner: {character-or-faction-kebab}
location: {location-kebab}
tags:
  - {tag-1}
---
```

## Description

What the artifact looks like and how readers recognize it.

## Function

What it can do, what it cannot do, and what it costs.

## History

Origin, prior owners, and story-relevant events.

## Current State

Current owner, location, condition, and unresolved risks.

# Faction Template

Use this template when creating a faction file at `worldbuilding/factions/{faction-name-kebab}.md`.

```yaml
---
name: "{Faction Name}"
type: {family|guild|government|military|religion|company|community|criminal|other}
status: {active|hidden|declining|defeated|disbanded|unknown}
members:
  - {character-kebab}
locations:
  - {location-kebab}
tags:
  - {tag-1}
---
```

## Purpose

What this faction wants and why it exists.

## Power Base

Resources, influence, territory, legitimacy, secrets, rituals, or leverage.

## Members

Important members and their roles.

## Conflicts

Internal divisions and external opposition.

# Location Template

Use this template when creating a new location file at `worldbuilding/locations/{location-name-kebab}.md`.

```yaml
---
name: "{Location Name}"
type: "{location-type, e.g. city, district, wilderness, submerged-ruin}"
region: "{Parent Region}"
population: {number or estimate}
controlled-by: {character-kebab or faction}
notable-characters:
  - {character-kebab}
tags:
  - {tag-1}
  - {tag-2}
status: "{location-status, e.g. thriving, declining, strained, exposed, unknown}"
---
```

`type` and `status` are free-form descriptive strings, not a closed set. Use the validator truth: any kebab-case or plain value passes `story validate`. Match existing example usage where it fits (e.g. `city`, `district`, `wilderness`, `submerged-ruin` for type; `thriving`, `declining`, `strained`, `exposed`, `unknown` for status).

## Description

What the location looks, sounds, smells, and feels like. First impressions for someone arriving. Key sensory details that make it distinct.

## History

How the location came to be and key events that happened here. Only include history relevant to the story.

## Culture & Customs

The people who live here, their way of life, traditions, social norms. What makes this place culturally distinct.

## Notable Features

Specific landmarks, buildings, natural features, or points of interest within the location. Things characters would interact with.

## Current State

What the location is like at the time of the story. Political situation, recent events, tensions, opportunities.

# System Template

Use this template when creating a new system file at `worldbuilding/systems/{system-name-kebab}.md`. Systems represent structured aspects of the world: magic, politics, technology, religion, economy, etc.

```yaml
---
name: "{System Name}"
type: {magic|political|technology|religion|economic|military|social|education|other}
prevalence: {universal|common|uncommon|rare|secret}
---
```

## Overview

What this system is and its role in the world. One paragraph summary.

## Rules & Limitations

How the system works. What it can and cannot do. Costs, constraints, and consequences. Be specific - well-defined limitations make systems compelling.

## History

How the system developed or was discovered. Key historical moments that shaped its current form.

## Practitioners

Who uses or participates in this system. Social status, requirements, training, organizations.

## Impact on Society

How this system shapes daily life, culture, politics, and conflict in the world. Ripple effects.

# World Element Types Reference

When building a world element, use these prompts to ensure thorough coverage for each type.

## Magic System

Key questions to address:
- What is the source of magic? (innate, learned, divine, natural, artifact-based)
- Who can use it? (everyone, select few, specific bloodlines, trained practitioners)
- What does it cost? (energy, health, materials, sanity, lifespan)
- What are the hard limits? (cannot raise dead, cannot create matter, etc.)
- How is it perceived socially? (revered, feared, regulated, mundane)
- What are the categories/schools/disciplines?

## Political System

Key questions to address:
- What is the power structure? (monarchy, democracy, oligarchy, theocracy, tribal)
- How is power transferred? (hereditary, elected, conquered, appointed)
- What factions exist and what do they want?
- What laws matter to the story?
- What is the relationship between regions/nations?
- What tensions or conflicts exist?

## Technology System

Key questions to address:
- What is the general technology level? (stone age, medieval, industrial, modern, futuristic)
- What technologies are unusually advanced or absent?
- How does technology interact with other systems (e.g., magic)?
- Who controls key technologies?
- What are the societal impacts of key technologies?

## Religion System

Key questions to address:
- What deities or spiritual forces exist? (real or believed)
- What are the major religious institutions?
- How does religion interact with political power?
- What rituals, holidays, or practices matter to the story?
- Are there religious conflicts or schisms?

## Economic System

Key questions to address:
- What is the currency and trade system?
- What are the major industries and resources?
- What is the wealth distribution?
- What economic tensions drive conflict?
- How does the economy interact with other systems?

## Military System

Key questions to address:
- How are armed forces organized?
- What weapons, tactics, and strategies are used?
- What is the relationship between military and political power?
- What recent or ongoing conflicts exist?
- How does military service affect social standing?

## Social System

Key questions to address:
- What are the social classes or castes?
- How is social mobility achieved (or prevented)?
- What are the gender roles and family structures?
- What cultural values dominate?
- What social tensions exist?

## Education System

Key questions to address:
- How is knowledge transmitted? (apprenticeship, schools, oral tradition, magical)
- Who has access to education? (everyone, elite, specific guilds/orders)
- What institutions exist? (academies, temples, guilds, military schools)
- How does education intersect with social class?
- What knowledge is forbidden or restricted?