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GameMastery Guide / Creating a World / The Primitive Society

Questions about Your Primitive Society

Source GameMastery Guide pg. 151
When designing a primitive culture, keep in mind some basic questions about the people.
  • Where do they fall on the technological spectrum?
  • What is their environment? How does it affect their worldview?
  • What sorts of monsters do they see routinely?
  • What are the major dangers in their area?
  • How does the tribe protect itself? What are their special skills regarding magic or combat?
  • What traits does the culture hold as virtues?
  • How do they feel about magic?
  • Are they nomadic or sedentary?
  • What is their social structure?
  • Do they live in comparative ease or hardship?
  • What are the major obstacles to their advancement?
  • If they are nomadic, how far do they typically travel in a week, and by what means? Do they leave traces behind or do they try to vanish when they travel, and why?
  • What is their attitude toward outsiders? What about trade or intermarriage?
  • What goods does the tribe use for trade or commerce?
  • Does the shaman hold power outright in the tribe?
  • What rites do they observe?
  • Does the culture hold any interesting beliefs?
  • What are the superstitions and taboos of the society?
  • What happens if someone violates them?
  • What are the tutelary deities of the tribe?
  • Who rules, and how is the ruler determined?
  • How powerful is the average tribe member? What about the weakest and the strongest?
  • What do they eat? How does the group store food?