Small fantasy worldbuilding elements you might want to think about:
A currency that isnât gold-standard/having gold be as valuable as tin
A currency that runs entirely on a perishable resource, like cocoa beans
A clock that isnât 24-hours
More or less than four seasons/seasons other than the ones we know
Fantastical weather patterns like irregular cloud formations, iridescent rain
A northern lights effect, but near the equator
Roads that arenât brown or grey/black, like San Juanâs blue bricks
Jewelry beyond precious gems and metals
Marriage signifiers other than wedding bands
The husband taking the wife's name / newlyweds inventing a new surname upon marriage
No concept of virginity or bastardry
More than 2 genders/no concept of gender
Monotheism, but not creationism
Gods that donât look like people
Domesticated pets that arenât re-skinned dogs and cats
Some normalized supernatural element that has nothing to do with the plot
Magical communication that isnât Fantasy Zoom
âBooksâ that arenât bound or scrolls
A nonverbal means of communicating, like sign language
A race of people who are obligate carnivores/ vegetarians/ vegans/ pescatarians (not religious, biological imperative)
Iâve done about half of these myself in one WIP or another and a little detail here or there goes a long way in reminding the audience that this isnât Kansas anymore.
