City

Where is the city located?

In terms of continent? Country? Region?

What kind of climate does the city experience?

How consistent is it throughout the year?

What surrounding natural features define it?

Think rivers, coastlines, mountains, plains, etc.

Why was this site originally chosen for settlement?

Consider access to water, trade, defense, faith, etc.

How does the city connect to the outside world?

Think main roads, waterways, ports, etc.

How does its geography influence its layout?

For instance, do roads follow elevation, waterways, or trade routes?

What lies beyond its borders?

Are surrounding lands friendly, wild, or dangerous?

What is the city's general layout?

Consider if the city is mapped using grids, winding alleys, etc.

How is the city organized or divided?

For instance, are they separated by districts, sectors, neighborhoods, etc.?

How do the areas of the city differ?

Consider architecture, upkeep, social status, class, ethnicity, etc. of each.

How extensive is the city's infrastructure?

For instance, how is the city supplied with water, sanitation, and waste removal?

What landmarks define the city?

Write a guidebook entry describing it to visitors.

How do people navigate the city?

E.g., by wards, numbered districts, etc.?

How would outsiders describe the city's "look and feel" at first sight?

Consider the scents, sounds, and textures they'd remark upon immediately.

What form of government runs the city?

Think democracy, monarchy, dictatorship, council, etc.?

Who holds the most power?

How did they get it?

How are laws made and enforced?

Describe a petty crime and its consequences vs. that of a serious crime.

What are the major political divides in the city?

Think wealth vs. poverty, traditionalists vs. reformers, magic vs. technology, etc.?

What is this city's role in the overall politics of the country?

How does the city wield influence economically, culturally, militarily, etc.?

How do citizens view their government?

How has it changed, if at all?

How does the city interact with...

Nearby states? Empires? Rival cities?

What is a typical day like for an ordinary citizen?

Narrate a “day in the life” from dawn to nightfall.

What languages or dialects are spoken?

Create a glossary of unique city idioms.

What social classes or castes exist?

How rigid are they, and where they live in the city?

What are the city’s core values or taboos?

What are they rooted in?

What do people eat, wear, and do for leisure?

How does this differ depending on class?

What prejudices or divisions exist within the populace?

Consider what the tensions are based on.

How do its citizens view outsiders?

Conversely, how are they viewed or stereotyped?

What resources or industries sustain the city?

Think farming, mining, fishing, manufacturing, magic, etc.?

What is the city's main source of income?

Think trade, technology, tourism, crime, etc.?

Who are the city's trading partners?

What is exchanged with them? What are the major trade routes?

How are wealth and poverty distributed?

Describe a walk from the richest to poorest district.

What kinds of jobs or trades are most common?

Why?

What currencies or barter systems are used?

Is it local or regional?

What black markets or underground economies exist?

Draft a secret police memo mapping the underground economy.

Who founded the city?

What existed here before the city was built?

How has the city's population changed over time?

Think census records, etc.? How do migrations affect its demographics?

What major events shaped its identity?

How do opposing groups tell the story differently?

What famous historical figures are tied to the city?

How are they rememvered today?

What inventions, ideas, or works of art originated here?

How are these ideas preserved, spread, or stolen?

How does the city’s past affect its present identity?

How do citizens in particular relate to its past?

What is something about the city that only long-time residents or insiders know?

Write it out here.