The Deep King
Narrative Designer/Writer - Worldbuilding Document
Solo Project - 4 months
Solo Project - 4 months
Ah, my “fish politics” story. Developing the planet Olia and the story of The Deep King was an incredible learning experience, not just in the craft of worldbuilding, but as an object lesson in how compelling stories should be built into the world. Indeed, while some say that world design should come before story or vice-versa, I find that as in the real world, environment, inhabitants, and experience should shape each other. From the start I had some vague concept of a story laid out, a classically inspired royal war drama, but as the world began to take shape – cultures, ecology, history – so did the story – character perspectives, industry, political conflicts – shift and grow. Additionally, where my initial concept was fantastical, I found myself pulling more and more from realism – tidal and tectonic movements, deep sea biology, my concurrent study of ecological horror – to create a world with unique conceits and conflicts. Through parallel development of habitat and happenings, an idea which started as a nautical play on Roman mythology evolved into a science-fantasy socio-ecological drama, a classic thalassic tale of intrigue writ large across the face of a fictional ocean.
The process of Olia’s creation included:
During the end-of-project review of the worldbuilding bible, most readers found the setting interesting and the cultural and resource conflicts compelling. Since that time, I have occasionally added to and edited the project – primary areas of revision have included fleshing out the cultures (adding more detail to social attitudes and behaviors, while looking out for cultural stereotypes) and the story (which, while for me instrumental to development, was considered a secondary concern by the project specifications). If possible, I would like to make a more concentrated return to this project at some point, perhaps turning it into a game or film project. Ultimately, I am proud of the world I created, and hope to create many more like – or rather unlike – the oceanic Olia.
The process of Olia’s creation included:
- Developing the planet’s major biomes and ecology (climate, geology, biology, dominant species, etc.)
- Creating and differentiating 3 cultural groups (Nerwys, Ecelas, and the Trench)
- Outlining a 25-year history of the region of focus
- Drawing out a central conflict and primary characters to act in this setting
During the end-of-project review of the worldbuilding bible, most readers found the setting interesting and the cultural and resource conflicts compelling. Since that time, I have occasionally added to and edited the project – primary areas of revision have included fleshing out the cultures (adding more detail to social attitudes and behaviors, while looking out for cultural stereotypes) and the story (which, while for me instrumental to development, was considered a secondary concern by the project specifications). If possible, I would like to make a more concentrated return to this project at some point, perhaps turning it into a game or film project. Ultimately, I am proud of the world I created, and hope to create many more like – or rather unlike – the oceanic Olia.
Content Warning: Abduction, social injustice, ecological disaster, deep ocean
Cover Image: NSF/USAP photo by Steve Clabuesch; Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons