Worldbuilding - Alien Civilizations
Next part of my Worldbuilding Master's Series!
This one was heavily inspired by @bionic-baby, an incredibly talented artist currently working on the webcomic âUmi & Oboko.â The story follows two aliens, Umi and Oboko, as they encounter a young girl named Violet, who suddenly finds herself stranded on a completely unfamiliar planet. Surrounded by strange lifeforms, unfamiliar customs, and a deeply developed alien culture, sheâs forced to navigate a world that feels genuinely otherworldly in the best way possible.
If you get the chance, definitely check it out! Itâs one of the few alien-focused stories that truly breaks away from the usual âlittle green alienâ tropes and instead delivers something creative, atmospheric, and full of original ideas you rarely see explored.
Notable highlights include:
Foundations of the Civilization
Biology and Physical Existence
Psychology and Perception
Society and Social Structures
Technology and Scientific Understanding
Culture, Art, and Meaning
Religion, Philosophy, and Cosmology
Interaction with Other Species
Time, Survival, and the Future
Foundations of the Civilization
What fundamentally defines this alien civilization, and how does it differ from humanity?
What species or beings make up this civilization?
What traits immediately distinguish them from humans?
How old is the civilization?
Did it arise naturally or through artificial means?
What environmental conditions shaped its development?
How unified is the civilization?
What does the civilization call itself?
How does it define intelligence or personhood?
Does it even think of itself as a âcivilizationâ?
What values define its existence?
What assumptions about reality does it hold?
How alien are its goals and motivations?
Does it share any recognizable traits with humanity?
How does it view individuality versus collectivism?
What makes this civilization truly non-human?
Biology and Physical Existence
How does alien biology shape every aspect of civilization and behavior?
What is the speciesâ physical form?
How large or small are individuals?
What senses do they possess?
Are there senses humans cannot comprehend?
How does the species reproduce?
Are there biological castes or variations?
Do they age similarly to humans?
What environmental conditions are necessary for survival?
How do they communicate biologically?
Are they carbon-based or something else?
What do they consume for energy?
Are they vulnerable to disease?
How does biology influence psychology?
What aspects of their bodies shape civilization most strongly?
Psychology and Perception
How do aliens think, feel, and perceive reality differently from humans?
How does alien cognition function?
Do they experience emotions comparable to humans?
What emotions are unique to them?
How do they perceive time?
Do they think individually or collectively?
Are they capable of abstraction or symbolism?
How do they experience memory?
What motivates them psychologically?
Do they experience fear, curiosity, or love?
Are there instincts that dominate behavior?
How do they define self-awareness?
Can humans fully understand their mindset?
Are misunderstandings inevitable between species?
How does perception shape their society?
What is most psychologically alien about them?
Society and Social Structures
How is alien society organized, and what rules govern social life?
What social structures exist?
Are there families, collectives, hives, or something else?
Are there classes or hierarchies?
What determines status or authority?
How are conflicts resolved?
Are individuals valued equally?
How do they raise offspring?
What social behaviors are considered acceptable?
Are there rituals or traditions?
How does cooperation function?
How does the civilization handle deviance?
What binds the society together?
What does community mean to them?
How does this civilization organize authority, leadership, and control?
Is there centralized leadership?
Who or what governs the civilization?
Is leadership permanent or temporary?
Are governments biological, technological, or ideological?
What gives authority legitimacy?
Are there political factions or rivalries?
How does the civilization handle dissent?
Are there wars or internal conflicts?
Are there diplomatic systems?
How does power transfer occur?
What threatens stability?
What does power mean in this civilization?
Technology and Scientific Understanding
What technologies exist, and how do aliens understand science and progress?
How technologically advanced is the civilization?
What scientific principles do they understand?
Is their technology recognizable to humans?
How does biology influence technology?
Are machines integrated into daily life?
Is artificial intelligence common?
How do they travel across space?
What energy sources do they use?
Are there technologies humans would see as impossible?
Is technological progress rapid or stable?
How dependent are they on technology?
Are there ethical limits on scientific advancement?
Do they preserve old technologies?
Are there dangers tied to technological reliance?
What does innovation mean to them?
Culture, Art, and Meaning
How do aliens create culture, expression, and shared meaning?
What forms does artistic expression take?
Is beauty important to them?
Are there cultural traditions spanning generations?
How do they tell stories?
Are there myths or legends?
What role does music, color, or symbolism play?
How do they celebrate important events?
Are there concepts humans would fail to recognize as culture?
How does environment influence expression?
What role does creativity play in society?
Are there shared cultural identities?
What emotions or ideas does their art convey?
What gives life meaning to them?
Religion, Philosophy, and Cosmology
How do aliens understand existence, spirituality, and the universe?
Do they believe in gods or higher powers?
How do they explain the origin of life?
Are there spiritual systems or religions?
How do they understand death?
Do they believe consciousness survives after death?
What philosophical questions matter most to them?
How do they define morality?
Is the universe seen as meaningful or indifferent?
Are there sacred places or concepts?
How do science and spirituality interact?
Are there ideological conflicts?
Do they seek purpose beyond survival?
How do they interpret humanityâs existence?
Are there cosmic fears or hopes unique to them?
What truths about existence define their worldview?
Interaction with Other Species
How does this civilization respond to other intelligent life?
Have they encountered other species before?
How do they view humanity specifically?
Are they curious, hostile, indifferent, or cautious?
How do they communicate across species barriers?
Are misunderstandings common?
Do they see other life as equal?
Are there diplomatic systems?
Are there xenophobic or expansionist beliefs?
Do they trade or exchange knowledge?
Are there interspecies alliances?
Are there ethical rules regarding contact?
How do biological differences complicate interaction?
Are humans seen as primitive or dangerous?
What would first contact reveal about both sides?
What defines peaceful coexistence for them?
Time, Survival, and the Future
What future does this civilization seek, and how does it survive across time?
Is the civilization expanding or declining?
What long-term goals does it pursue?
How does it plan for the distant future?
Are there existential threats facing it?
How does it adapt to change?
Are there internal debates about the future?
How sustainable is its society?
Does it seek immortality or transcendence?
Are there plans beyond its homeworld?
How does it respond to environmental collapse or scarcity?
What would cause its downfall?
How does it imagine the end of the universe?
What legacy does it want to leave behind?
What does this civilization ultimately believe its purpose is?
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