World building (pt2): Cosmology & Mythology

In this post, we’ll focus on creating a captivating cosmology and mythology as part of your world building efforts. A well-designed cosmology and mythology form the bedrock of your story by establishing the beliefs, values, traditions, and moral frameworks of your characters and their world. Let’s delve into the process of creating a compelling cosmos and mythology that will influence other essential aspects of your world building.

Designing Your Cosmology:

Creating the structure of your universe (e.g., flat, spherical, etc.). The structure of your universe will have implications on your mythology as well as the characters who live within it. Think about Terry Pratchett’s DiscWorld series. If you don’t think a cosmology set on a disc riding atop four celestial elephants all standing on the back of Great A’Tuin the space turtle did not influence the stories and characters, you may want to read it again.Establishing its physical properties (e.g., laws of physics). Continuing with the DiscWorld example, not only is the cosmology humorously fantastical, but so are the physics and magical properties of the universe. Reality is spread thinly on the Disc, so events may be affected by expectations, especially those of ‘intelligent’ species such as humans, dwarves, etc. As such, the Discworld is not governed by real-world physics or logic but by belief and narrative resolution. Essentially, if something is believed strongly enough, or by enough people, it may become true.Introducing any celestial bodies, phenomena, or deities. Sticking with the DiscWorld, the very nature of that universe has given rise to 41 stories, many of which reference or explore these aspects of the universe. Small Gods, is a fine example for us all to review.

Constructing a Mythology: Building out your mythology can provide a rich playground for your characters. From deciding how the populations of your world came to be, to what they believe, and how they interact with others based on a shared past, your mythology is fertile ground for interesting ideas and stories to germinate.

Creating origin stories for your world and its inhabitants. Having your cosmology is a starting point, but what characters in your world believe about that cosmology could be entirely different. How people came to be in your world can be a great starting point. Using Larry Niven’s Ringworld as an example, we know it was manufactured and populated by a powerful race. But the inhabitants of the place had wholly different myths and beliefs on how they came to be in the world. Knowing something is different than what people believe can be a great mechanism to create conflict and tension between characters and the world.Defining the roles of gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings. Sticking with our Ringworld example, the builders have taken on aspects of gods to the inhabitants. When they meet the main character (Louis Wu), they believe him to be a god, or a servant of the gods, which colors their interactions with him. Rumors of ‘builders’ who are gods to the inhabitants helps drive Louis’s journey across the world as well.Designing myths, legends, and folktales that shape societal beliefs. Something happened to the Ringworld that unsettled the natural balance there. Without going into spoilers, these events in the distant past shaped the beliefs of the people, and gave rise to the legends they share during the story. Eventually, the myths give way to facts that our heroes need to escape the world they’ve landed on.

Interplay with Other World building Elements:
A well-crafted cosmology and mythology will influence various aspects of your world building in interesting ways:

Laws, Ethics, and Morality: A culture’s moral framework can be shaped by its gods, myths, and legends. For example, the tenets of a particular religion could dictate societal norms around justice and compassion.Political Structures and Economies: Mythology can influence political structures through the creation of divine kings or god-appointed leaders. It can also impact economies by shaping trade relationships and resource distribution.Building Landscapes and Geography: Cosmology and mythology can inform the geography of your world. For instance, a particular deity may be associated with mountains, while another could be connected to rivers or forests.

Practical Applications in Storytelling:
By weaving cosmology and mythology into your story, you create layers of depth that immerse readers in the world and engage their emotions. Here are a few ways to do so:

Establishing Connections: Make connections between characters and the gods or mythological beings they encounter. This can provide insight into their motivations and help build emotional resonance.Creating Conflict: Use mythology to create internal conflicts within your characters. For example, a character might struggle with conflicting moral values based on different deities or beliefs.Building a Sense of History: A rich cosmology and mythology can provide a sense of history for your world, making it more believable and immersive for readers.

By designing an intriguing cosmology and mythology and exploring its interplay with other essential worldbuilding elements, you create a more engaging and memorable world that readers will want to explore.

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