The top 5 problems with fantasy world-building, from a historian

Let me start by saying that I have nothing but contempt for those pseudo-intellectuals who sneer at fantasy and science fiction - it’s as bad as the nerds who do the same totrailers and rom-coms. <br><br>I use the term “pseudo-intellectuals” because to me, someone who rejects an entire genre of fiction is about as smart as someone who only consumes one. If you want to critique something, you have to know what you’re talking about.<br><br>I’ve been lurking and posting on this sub for a while now, and I feel as though I’ve seen enough common pitfalls to list what, in my opinion, are the five most common top-level mistakes fantasy worldbuilders make. This list isn’t exhaustive, and nor is it in order. These are, however, the ones that you guys don’t necessarily notice - or mention. <br><br>1. **Inconsistencies in rank and title.** <br><br>This is the one that gets me the most. Just because it’s fantasy doesn’t mean you should just make shit up when it comes to social hierarchy. <br><br>Don’t mix and match rank and title like they mean nothing. Do some research. Figure out where the ranks come from. In history, if someone was a duke, they weren’t a peer, they had vassals under them. If they were a peer, they weren’t a duke, even if they act like they are. <br><br>You can change it, of course, but if you don’t explain *why* it’s different in your world, then you’re confusing. <br><br>2. **Inconsistencies in units of measurement.** <br><br>This is the one that catches almost everyone, even the smart ones. <br><br>Britain changed to the metric system decades ago, but for some reason, we still use imperial measurements for height, weight, speed, and distance. Americans still use imperial measurements across the board, with little exceptions. <br><br>This means that people from both countries have a warped view of what Centigrade and Fahrenheit are used for, as well as what measurements are used where. <br><br>This is harder to catch if you’re an American, because you don’t have to deal with Metric outside of science class. But if you’re British, you have no excuse. <br><br>Just be consistent. Explain your measurements, or choose an existing set. I don’t give a shit what you do, but your readers are going to get confused as hell if you swap between Metric and Imperial without a consistent system.<br><br>3. **Bad mapmaking.**<br><br>This is the one that everyone mentions, but nobody explains. <br><br>Look, I get that making an entire planet from scratch can be hard. But some of you make maps that, quite frankly, make no sense.<br><br>Why does a continent have four distinct climates all next to each other? Is the north wind blocked by something? *Is there even wind?* <br><br>Your maps don’t have to make perfect sense. With some caveats, Earth doesn’t. But *you have to explain it*. Telling me “it’s magic” is a cop out.<br><br>4. **Not accounting for historical events in your timeline.**<br><br>This is the one that not even the smart ones catch. <br><br>Scientists these days like to pretend that human history didn’t change the environment. To some extent, this is correct. But humans *have* changed the environment throughout history, and we usually end up fucked because of it. <br><br>If you have an Empire that existed for three hundred years, and you didn’t take into account that it would have changed the environment, your map is going to make no sense. <br><br>Furthermore, if you change your map to take *that* into account, you have to change your history to make it work. With some caveats, this is the same reason why climate maps from 50 years ago don’t look like climate maps today.<br><br>5. **Not researching how different cultures influence each other.**<br><br>This one gets even the ones who think they’re above this kind of thing. <br><br>If two cultures have been at war for three hundred years, you need to account for that when it comes to trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Both the Romans and the Mongols *adopted* some of the traditions of the cultures they conquered. <br><br>Furthermore, you need to figure out how trade works. What do the two nations trade? What can they trade? Is it worth it? <br><br>I think this is the top problem because not even *historians* expect to have to research this. You act as though cultural exchange and trade is a modern thing, or something left to the scientists, but quite frankly it’s historic as all hell. <br><br>Research the spice trade. Research the Silk Road. *Research how the Columbian Exchange fucked South America up.*<br><br>There you go, guys. Five historic pitfalls, from an actual historian. <br><br>If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask or PM me!<br><br>EDIT: Holy shit this blew up. Thanks for the gold, kind redditor!<br><br>Also, thanks to everyone who shared their own problems with fantasy worldbuilding, it’s really interesting to see where you all stand!<br><br>And finally, thank you for all the kindest words! I’m so happy that I’ve been able to help so many people, and I’m honoured that so many of you have shared this far and wide!