Maybe the universe is the larger world, as far as your characters know, and there are several planets or lands within the universe. Or maybe the universe is very small and consists of only one planet or one land, which is then populated with many different cities and towns. Thinking about the scope of the universe can help give you a sense of the big picture. You can then zoom in to the smaller details once you have the larger details set.
You should also consider how many different terrains or landscapes are going to be in the universe. You may separate these terrains by area, province, or even by different planets. You may also start to think about how the landscapes in the universe might affect other elements, such as the economic systems, the social structures, and the customs of the world. You may have certain beings who live in specific terrains or landscapes only, such as humans who live in cities and towns, and mutants who live in jungles.
Keep in mind you are building a fictional universe, so the laws of physics and nature may not function in the same ways they do on earth or in our world. You are not bound by the rules of our world and you can make your fictional universe as strange and upside down as you would like. This means you may have areas of landscape where it rains fire or where there are jungles next to ice caves and waterfalls in deserts.
Try to be as detailed as you can when you draw the map, as you will be using the map as a reference point when you sit down to create stories in your fictional universe. Include names of cities, towns, areas, and lands, as well as basic information about the landscape, terrain, and climate of the area. You may also color the map so it is easy to reference when you create stories set in the universe. You can view several examples of drawn maps of fictional worlds and universes, including an interactive map of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings. [5] X Research source
For example, you may decide that there is a race of humans that were colonized by another race to create a hybrid race. You may use elements of American slavery and the colonization of indigenous peoples in Canada as templates for the human groups in your universe. If you do use existing human groups as a template for the people in your universe, make sure they are multi-dimensional and not based solely on stereotypes. You are creating a fictional universe, after all, so you can add in nuances and oddities as you see fit, even to the humans who inhabit the universe. [8] X Research source
You can also make up your own species, where there are magical elements and human elements present in the beings in your universe. Let your creativity run wild and create a species that will be unique and engaging.
For example, maybe the universe is held together by a central object, such as a shard of dragon’s glass or a molten ball of gold. Or, maybe the universe is populated by special objects that grow on trees or on the graves of the dead. Use your imagination to sketch out several key objects in the universe to make it feel more detailed and well-rounded.
You should also think about how the magic is treated in the universe. If the magic is powerful, are there keepers or guardians of the magic? If the magic only available to a select few or has it been forgotten and waiting to be reclaimed by a chosen hero? You may also consider if the magic in the universe is considered a positive element, like a sacred gift or treasure. Or, maybe the magic has negative connotations, associated with fear and evil.
Is the universe a democracy, a dictatorship, a republic, or a mix of different governing systems? Does the universe have a stable government or a government in upheaval? Maybe there are different governing systems in each planet or land in the universe and these systems compete against each other or fight for power over the universe as a whole. You may want to use an existing governing system and add to it until it becomes a weird hybrid system. For example, maybe the governing system has elements of democracy but it is run by otherworldly beings and some decisions are made using magic.
If there are multiple lands or planets in the universe, you should determine if there are different currencies in each land. There may also be different economic systems in each land or planet. You could use an existing economic system and adjust it or add different elements to it. You may use elements of capitalism, for example, but add elements of socialism to the system.
You may use an existing religion or belief system to create a theology for your universe. For example, maybe you combine elements of Catholicism with elements of Haitian Vodou to create a hybrid theology found in a certain area of the universe.
Having different types of cultures will also create social classes or social hierarchies. These classes could then come into conflict, especially if you have characters in your stories who are from different classes. Often, dominant cultures will have their version of history included in the official history of an area or land. The dominant culture in your universe may uphold their version of history, which contradicts or oppresses the history experienced by nondominant cultures. This could help to build tension and conflict in the universe.
You may also want to consider if there are certain modes of transportation that are only used by certain groups or beings. For example, maybe the wizards in the universe get around by flying broomstick and the fairies get around by flying dragon. Or, maybe humans use the bus while elves use horses to get around.
For example, maybe humans in the universe greet each other by using computerized glasses to say hello. Or, maybe a certain group acknowledges each other with a simple facial gesture or hand motion. Not knowing the accepted customs may lead to consequences in the universe, such as excommunication from a group or community.
You should try to think about how your main characters might be dressed, based on their status in the universe. Maybe one character dresses in all black because he was born into a certain group or one character always wears long, flowing dresses because she is the member of a higher social class.
