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skills/cw-brainstorming/references/worldbuilding.md

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+# Worldbuilding - Brainstorming Reference
+
+This reference helps capture exploration of fictional world elements: magic systems, cultures, history, geography. This is brainstorming - if ready to finalize/document, use cw-official-docs instead.
+
+## Brainstorm vs Document
+
+**Still brainstorming (this skill):**
+- Exploring possibilities
+- Multiple options coexist
+- User is figuring it out
+- Skeletal, exploratory notes
+
+**Ready to document (use cw-official-wiki):**
+- User has decided
+- Single canonical version
+- Polished, reader-ready
+- Nothing left undecided
+
+Can mention: "Ready to document this? We could create a documentation page"
+
+## What Worldbuilding Brainstorming Looks Like
+
+User is:
+- Exploring magic system possibilities
+- Figuring out how cultures work
+- Thinking through geography
+- Building history/lore
+- Testing ideas, seeing what fits
+- Multiple versions might exist
+
+## Capture the Exploration
+
+**Record what user states:**
+- Magic system thoughts → capture as stated
+- Cultural elements → record what's mentioned
+- Geography → as vague or detailed as user made it
+- History/lore → note the ideas
+
+**Don't elaborate:**
+- User says "magic has a cost" → don't invent what the cost is
+- User mentions "three kingdoms" → don't name them or detail their cultures
+- User describes "harsh northern territory" → don't elaborate on flora/fauna
+- Multiple versions of lore can coexist
+
+## Using Web Search (Explicitly Encouraged)
+
+Search when it would help exploration:
+
+**Real-world inspiration:**
+- Cultures/history for inspiration ("Viking society structure")
+- Scientific concepts for hard sci-fi ("realistic space travel")
+- Geographic features for world design ("desert ecosystems")
+- Mythology for fantasy elements ("trickster gods in folklore")
+
+**Fictional references:**
+- How other authors handled similar systems
+- Genre conventions for worldbuilding
+- Similar fictional worlds for reference
+
+Note source when including researched info or references.
+
+Web search is a tool for exploration - use it freely.
+
+## Organization Patterns
+
+These are examples, not mandates. User's brainstorm might be:
+
+**Hierarchical:**
+```markdown
+Culture → Subcultures → Practices → Details
+[User exploring top-down]
+```
+
+**System-based:**
+```markdown
+Magic rules → Exceptions → Edge cases
+[User figuring out how system works]
+```
+
+**Timeline-based:**
+```markdown
+Ancient era → Classical → Modern
+[User building history chronologically]
+```
+
+**Scattered thoughts:**
+```markdown
+Random ideas about:
+- Magic costs life force
+- Three competing factions
+- Ancient war 500 years ago
+User exploring without structure yet
+```
+
+**Question-driven:**
+```markdown
+How does teleportation work?
+Why do elves live longer?
+What caused the cataclysm?
+User asking questions, not answering yet
+```
+
+All are valid. Capture however it flows.
+
+## Common Exploration Areas
+
+### Magic/Tech Systems
+
+User exploring:
+- How it works
+- Limitations
+- Costs/consequences
+- Who can use it
+
+Don't elaborate on rules they mentioned. Keep skeletal.
+
+### Cultures and Societies
+
+User thinking through:
+- Social structures
+- Cultural practices
+- Values/beliefs
+- Conflicts
+
+Don't invent cultural details. Capture what's stated.
+
+### Geography and Locations
+
+User figuring out:
+- World layout
+- Important places
+- Travel logistics
+- Environmental features
+
+Keep as vague as user left it. Don't fill in the map.
+
+### History and Lore
+
+User building:
+- World events timeline
+- Legends and myths
+- How past affects present
+
+Multiple versions of history can coexist until user decides.
+
+## Teaching Example 1: Magic System
+
+### User Says:
+"The danger rating system... thinking Tier 1 to Tier 5. Tier 1 is safe areas, Tier 5 is deadly. Civilians can go in Tier 1, but Tier 5 needs experienced specialists."
+
+### ✅ Good Capture:
+```markdown
+# Danger Rating Ideas
+
+- Tier 1 to Tier 5 system
+- Tier 1 = safe for civilians
+- Tier 5 = requires experienced specialists
+- Deadly level
+
+Open questions:
+- Exact criteria for each tier?
+- Who assigns ratings?
+- Middle tiers (2, 3, 4) - what qualifies?
+
+<AI>Could tier be based on: threat level, required skills, or legal restrictions? Assignment could be: government agency, independent organization, or guild?</AI>
+```
+
+### ❌ Bad Capture:
+```markdown
+# Danger Classification System
+
+Tier 1: Urban districts, shopping areas. No hostile entities above level 10. Monitored by Security Forces 24/7. Civilians permitted with no license required.
+
+Tier 2: Suburban zones. Entities levels 10-20. Weekly Security patrols. Basic permit required for extended stays.
+
+Tier 3: Zone edges. Entities 20-30. Security on call but not patrolling. Intermediate license required.
+
+Tier 4: Wilderness zones. Entities 30-50. No security presence. Advanced license mandatory.
+
+Tier 5: Extreme hazard zones. Entities 50+. Emergency evacuation protocols. Master-level certification only.
+
+Enforcement: Regional Safety Commission issues monthly assessments. Violations carry 5-10 year penalties...
+
+[12 more paragraphs of elaborate system user never mentioned]
+```
+
+**Why bad?** User mentioned a 5-tier concept with safe/deadly endpoints. You invented entire bureaucratic structure, specific threat levels, licensing requirements, enforcement agencies, and legal penalties.
+
+## Teaching Example 2: Culture
+
+### User Says:
+"The northern clans are more isolated and traditional. They respect strength and have some kind of warrior code."
+
+### ✅ Good Capture:
+```markdown
+# Northern Clans Notes
+
+- More isolated than other regions
+- Traditional culture
+- Respect strength
+- Warrior code exists (specifics not decided)
+
+Open questions:
+- Details of warrior code?
+- How isolated (trade? communication?)?
+- What "traditional" means specifically?
+```
+
+### ❌ Bad Capture:
+```markdown
+# Northern Clans - Cultural Profile
+
+Geography: Remote mountain settlements, accessible only 4 months per year due to snowfall.
+
+Social Structure: 
+- War-chiefs lead each clan (hereditary position)
+- Council of Elders advises on spiritual matters
+- Warriors form middle class
+- Farmers and craftspeople at bottom tier
+
+Warrior Code (The Seven Tenets):
+1. Strength through adversity
+2. Honor before comfort
+3. Protect the weak
+4. Never retreat from worthy foe
+5. Death before dishonor
+6. Train the next generation
+7. Respect the old ways
+
+Coming of Age: At 16, warriors-in-training face "The Proving" - a three-day solo survival test in the frozen wastes...
+
+[20 more paragraphs of invented cultural details]
+```
+
+**Why bad?** User said "isolated," "traditional," "respect strength," and "warrior code." You invented geography, social hierarchy, seven specific tenets, coming-of-age rituals, and elaborate traditions.
+
+## Teaching Example 3: Using Web Search
+
+### User Says:
+"I want a magic system based on thermodynamics - energy can't be created or destroyed, just transformed."
+
+### Good Process:
+1. Note the concept
+2. Search "thermodynamics first law energy conservation"
+3. Capture relevant facts from search
+4. User applies to magic system → record their applications
+5. Don't invent magic rules beyond what user states
+
+```markdown
+# Magic System - Thermodynamics Basis
+
+Core concept: Energy conservation
+- Can't create or destroy energy
+- Only transform it
+
+Researched (physics):
+- First law of thermodynamics: energy conserved in closed system
+- Energy conversion always has inefficiency (heat loss)
+
+Open questions:
+- How does this apply to spellcasting?
+- What counts as "energy" in this system?
+- How to handle inefficiency?
+```
+
+## When to Transition to Wiki
+
+User: "Okay, I think I've figured out the magic system. It works like [detailed explanation], and I'm set on these rules."
+
+✅ Good response:
+"Sounds like you've finalized this! Want me to create a documentation page for the magic system? That would be the official reference instead of exploratory notes."
+
+Then use cw-official-wiki to create canonical documentation.
+
+## Notice Beyond the List
+
+If user explores worldbuilding aspects not covered here - capture them. Every story world is different. Trust your judgment on what matters for their world.