Give your Fantasy Cultures a Major Arts Upgrade!

Join Marie in discussing how to build arts, sport and games into world building

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Chapters

• 0:00 Cultural Expression
• 1:22 Performing Arts
• 8:44 Fine arts
• 13:30 Sport
• 17:26 Games
• 20:15 Gambling

Transcript

From the roaring crowds of gladiatorial arenas to the subtle strategies of chessboards and the delicate brushstrokes of a masterpiece, entertainment shapes how we see the world and how the world sees us. But what if your world isn’t like ours? What if the games, the arts, and the performances told stories only possible in a fantasy realm? What kind of cultural expression would your cultures in your world have? That’s what this podcast is about: cultural expression and entertainment through sports, arts, and games for a fantasy culture. 

Welcome to another episode of *Worldbuilding Blueprints* from *Just in Time Worlds* with your host, Marie Mullany. If you’re watching this on YouTube, there is a playlist where you can watch the previous episodes in the information card. If you’re listening to this in a podcast app, the previous episodes are available there as well. 

As always, this episode is brought to you by the wonderful members of my YouTube channel, who make this entire endeavor worthwhile. There are details on how to join their magnificent ranks and the perks you can get in the links down below.

Cultural expression is the outward manifestation of a society’s core values, beliefs, and identity. It encompasses everything from the performing and visual arts to rituals, sports, and games. These forms of expression are not only ways for individuals to entertain and create, but also provide insight into the deeper cultural norms, mores, and values of a society.

In the first section of this podcast, we will explore the role of cultural expression using the performing arts. Performing arts are a vivid and dynamic way in which cultures share their stories, histories, and values. Whether through songs, storytelling, elaborate performances, or even TV shows and movies, performing arts serve both as entertainment and as a powerful tool for shaping social identity and community cohesion. In addition, the performing arts can be used as a tool to impart history or plot elements to characters and readers alike. 

For example, music like *The Rains of Castamere* in *A Song of Ice and Fire* conveys significant historical information about the Lannisters and their ruthless rule. Similarly, songs or plays in your world could teach lore, recount great battles, or serve as allegories for contemporary political events. There are a number of ways to include performing arts in a culture, depending on their technology, the sapient species’ attributes, and what your story needs.

Your options include primary musical performance. In the traditional fantasy setting, this would be the role of the bard, jongleur, or minstrel. These roles include the transmission of lore and history in oral societies. The distinction between the various roles in this large grouping can also add additional layers to your culture. For example, a society that venerates bards as sacred storytellers, such as in Katharine Kerr’s *Deverry* series, might treat the performances of bards as untouchable acts, holding bards up on a pedestal as performers who are more than just musicians—they are sacred in their own right. On the other hand, jongleurs and minstrels might be seen as mere transient entertainers, without the same level of protection or respect.

Moving on from primary musical performance, you might also have primary storytelling as a type of performing art in your culture. Some cultures may favor verbal storytellers over musical performers. These storytellers often embody the characters they speak of, acting out epics and creating immersive narratives. Group performances such as theatre troupes or even TV shows could be both entertainment and a way to share news, as seen in *Game of Thrones* where Arya witnesses a play about the events at King’s Landing while living on the streets of Braavos.

Besides storytelling and music, you can also include primary physical performances. This performing art type includes dancing or even physical arts like mime and clowning. When it comes to dancing, there are usually two forms in most cultures: one performed by ordinary people during festivals and parties, covering dances like maypole dancing, square dances, or the waltz. The other is dancing as part of professional entertainment or even storytelling, such as ballet, Spanish dancing, acrobatics, or even pole dancing, depending on the prudishness of the culture.

All of this can also exist in a modern world if your culture has access to TV or even radio. Don’t forget to consider how these performing arts translate into those media and the impact celebrities would have on the wider culture.

So, when creating your own performing arts for your culture, consider the following questions: What type of art is it, and what does it look like? Are any props or instruments required? Don’t forget to think about magic and fantasy elements here. Adrian Tchaikovsky’s *Butterfly Kinden*, for example, have a dance where they fly as part of the performance, making it literally an airborne ballet—which sounds truly amazing. 

Then, consider why this culture has this performing art. Did it originate within the culture due to some environmental or fantastical condition, or was it adopted from another culture? Ballet, for example, originated in Italy during the Renaissance as an outgrowth of Italian court pageantry, but it spread throughout Europe and beyond, influencing cultures from Japan to Argentina.

Also, consider how performers are treated by others in the culture. Are they celebrated or denigrated? Is it seen as a great career choice, or do they need patrons to succeed? Lastly, think about what is depicted by the performing art. Is there a song about a historical event? Are there dances that illustrate cultural values? Have specific patrons skewed the art to match their politics, like the relationship between Elizabeth I and Shakespeare, which resulted in Richard III being vilified in the play of the same name?

And, of course, if you need help designing your cultural values, check out the earlier episode of this podcast on that topic.

What’s the most epic performing art you’ve encountered in a fantasy world? Or have you built an amazing performing art incorporating your fantastical elements? Let me know in the comments or by sending this podcast fan mail. Now, let’s dance right along to fine arts.

Besides performing arts, worldbuilders should also consider fine arts such as painting, sculpture, textiles, or perhaps some form of fantastical art creation. Fine arts not only decorate spaces but can also serve as historical records or non-verbal communication methods. Tapestries, murals, and even pottery can depict significant events, victories in battle, or mythological tales that define a culture’s history and heroes.

Fine arts can also be incorporated into symbols of nobility or family lines. In my *Sangu Chronicles* world, for example, a noble’s heraldic sash is a work of art featuring the symbols of house, rank, and magic. A very rich noble might have gems incorporated into the design, while a poor chevalier might need to settle for silk or cotton dyed in as many colors as they can afford.

An important consideration when creating fine arts in your culture is patronage. Art patronage has historically been a significant part of many cultures and reflects not only the tastes of the society’s elite but also its politics, power struggles, and social hierarchies. For instance, in Renaissance Italy, the Medici family’s patronage of the arts shaped Florence’s cultural landscape. Wealthy patrons often dictated the themes and messages of art.

In your world, consider how rulers or religious leaders might commission works that glorify their reign or legitimize their rule. A ruler, for example, might demand portraits or tapestries that depict them in a divine light, similar to Queen Elizabeth I’s use of Virgin Mary iconography to solidify her image. If you’d like to delve deeper into the relationship between artists and patrons, I have a video on the *Just in Time Worlds* channel that explores this in more detail, which I’ll link below.

When creating fine arts in your culture, consider the following: What does the art look like? Does it require fantastical elements? For example, a science fiction setting might have holograms as an art form, or in a fantasy setting with magic that involves weaving, you might have cloth woven from moonbeams to create an astonishing tapestry. Also, who paid for the art, and how does that influence its depiction? How are artists treated by society? Are they celebrated or seen as sycophants of the wealthy? How does the art express the values of the culture?

That’s a quick overview of creating art for your culture, but art—whether performing or fine—isn’t the only way a culture expresses itself. So let’s leave behind the delicate flowers of art and talk about sport.

Sports in any world are often a reflection of the core values and ideals a culture holds dear. For instance, a society that esteems cooperation might favor team-based sports, while one that glorifies individual achievement would likely focus on solo sports. Depending on the resources and technology available, sports can focus on physical exertion or incorporate magical elements—similar to Quidditch in *Harry Potter*. A culture steeped in magic might have sports where the manipulation of elemental forces is key to success, while more grounded societies may prefer sports centered on skill and endurance.

Sports can also provide a safe outlet for conflict between groups or nations. Historical events like the Olympics or gladiatorial games are prime examples of non-lethal competitions standing in for war. In a world where open war may be discouraged by a magical act or divine intervention, major conflicts might be settled through sports, and entire societies could revolve around rivalries born from these contests.

Additionally, sports are often tied to rituals, particularly coming-of-age ceremonies. In a seafaring society, for instance, young adults might be required to prove their worth by competing in a dangerous solo voyage. The winner could be granted the title of “First Sailor,” marking them as a future leader or captain in the culture.

When creating sports in your world, consider the following: What is the sport? Is it land-based

, air-based, or water-based? Is it physical, magical, or a combination of the two? What does the field look like, and what are the rules and team sizes? Is any special equipment required? How are players treated by the culture? Has the sport had historical moments of great impact?

For example, the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa was the first the country could participate in after the fall of apartheid. The victory by the rugby team, combined with their off-field activities in embracing a multicultural South Africa, served as a unifying moment during a critical time. If you want to see a dramatized version of this moment, check out the movie *Invictus*, which I highly recommend. 

When designing your sport, also consider whether it’s homegrown or imported. For instance, rugby is a colonial export of Britain to its colonies. Has a sport in your fantasy world played a role in shaping its history? What is the most epic sporting moment in the real world that you remember?

But maybe you’re not a sporty person. You’re not stuck with just sports, right? What about the brainiacs in your culture—those interested in games that don’t require as much physicality? Let’s talk about that next.

Board games and strategy games are not merely pastimes; they are training grounds for minds, particularly in societies where leadership, military command, or complex political maneuvering is key. Strategy games like chess or Go are often used to develop tactical thinking in future leaders. In some cultures, young nobles may be required to excel in a specific game to prove their readiness for leadership. These games may be part of military training, with generals and captains learning to outwit their opponents not just in war, but also on the board.

Strategy games may also be tied to religious or cultural rituals. For example, in a world with a deity of war or luck, a key strategy game could be played as part of a ritual to win the favor of the gods before a battle. The game itself might reflect the values of patience, foresight, and sacrifice, with characters learning vital life lessons through play. Over time, these games become embedded in the language and culture of a society. Phrases like “sacrificing pawns” or “watch your king” from chess show how deeply games can influence everyday speech and thought.

When creating strategy games and board games in your world, consider the following: How many players are involved? Remember, solitaire games are an option here. What do the board and game pieces look like? How does the game work? Does it involve any random elements, like the dice rolls of *Warhammer 40K*? Is magic or fantasy involved in the game at all?

Also consider the impact of the game on culture. Has it averted a war? Has someone beaten death at a game of chess in the legends of your world? And finally, does the game come from elsewhere, or did it originate within the culture?

For our last form of cultural expression, let’s talk about games of gambling and luck.

Gambling and games of luck can be more than just entertainment. They often reveal the moral fabric of a culture. Whether betting on the outcome of a dice roll or wagering an entire fortune on a high-stakes card game, the way societies approach gambling offers insight into their relationships with risk, wealth, and power. Some cultures might strictly regulate or even outlaw gambling, relegating it to secret dens or high-class establishments where societal rules are temporarily suspended. Others might embrace gambling as a vital part of their culture, where fate and fortune are central to the world’s philosophy, and risk-taking behavior is encouraged.

For example, a culture that worships a god of luck might believe that gambling is a divine test of one’s worth, with high stakes leading either to fortune or divine punishment. In fantasy worlds, gambling could be entwined with the supernatural. Perhaps there’s a game where one wagers not just wealth, but years of life or service to a god. The stakes in such games could range from trivial to life-altering, adding tension and excitement to your narrative.

Gambling metaphors can also become ingrained in language, with phrases like “rolling the dice” or “calling someone’s bluff” reflecting societal values around risk and honesty. A society that emphasizes fate might develop idioms like “leaving it to the gods” or “Fate’s dice roll.” In some worlds, magical or enchanted dice might be central to the culture’s belief system, with legendary stories of great gamblers shaping the course of history.

When creating a gambling game, consider the following: How does it work? What game pieces are required? It could be as simple as a pair of dice or as complex as a backgammon board. Does magic or fantasy impact the game, especially in terms of manipulating luck, such as using foresight skills? 

Remember, in some cultures, risk-taking is viewed negatively, and gambling might be restricted, which can illustrate the culture’s attitude toward luck and high-risk behavior, further tying into the norms of the culture.

What’s the coolest idiom referring to a game—fantasy or real-world—that you know? Let me know in the comments or by sending in fan mail.

Cultural expression isn’t just the stories a society tells; it’s the way it tells those stories through art, sports, games, and performance. You can weave the values, history, and identity of your culture into something tangible—something your readers or players can truly feel and experience in your world. So don’t neglect cultural expression when creating your world. It will add unexpected depth and give you all kinds of cool expressions for your characters to use as well.

Now, not next month—because the podcast is on break—but the month afterward, we’ll put together all the pieces of cultural worldbuilding into one comprehensive model before moving on to discuss religion and then economics. So, if you’re interested in those topics, make sure you subscribe to get those episodes when they drop.

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On that note, I’ll see you soon for another episode. Remember, build what you need when you need it, and happy worldbuilding!