Writing Tips, Snippets, And More!

So, you're trying to make a some fantasy nations. You have a militaristic one with the big bad general leader, a peaceful one with a cute little elder council, the monarchy based one with the tyrant king, and the normal one with the elected officials. But, those aren't really unique (not that there's anything wrong with it if they aren't the focus of your story) they're derivative. Besides, do you really think a world that has had thousands, millions, or billions of years to develop would have the same forms of government as ours? So if you're having trouble fine-tuning your governments, here are some examples:

One-party state

A one-party state is a government structure in which only a single political party controls the ruling system. In a one-party state, all opposition parties are either outlawed or have limited and controlled participation in elections.

Real life examples: Nazi Germany, Workers Party of Korea (North Korea), Communist Party of China, etc

2. Ergatocracy

A society with rule by the proletariat, the workers, or the working class. This type of society was likely the end goal of Karl Marx and the original Communist movement.

3. Technocracy

A society where experts, scientists, and specialists lead decision-making instead of elected officials.

4. Plutocracy "Rule by the Rich"

A society that is ruled by those of create wealth.

5. Theocracy

A form of autocracy or oligarchy in which one or more deities are recognized as supreme ruling authorities, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries, with executive, legislative, and/or judicial power, who manage the government's daily affairs.

Examples: a sea god rules their city on an island, a group of nature gods rule a city of dryads.

6. Noocracy: Rule by the wise;

A system of governance in which decision making is in the hands of philosophers, envisioned by Plato.

7. Government by Lottery:

A person is selected at random by lottery to be the ruler for a set period of time. You could have this be legitimate or simply be a system to install puppet rulers to prevent them from gaining too much power/reputation. For example, you could build a story about a poor laborer being drawn for the lottery only to discover it's all just a sham to prevent a ruler from taking power from the regents.

Other things to consider in government:

If there is voting, consider putting unique age limits. For example, you could have only teens be able to vote (because they have a mix of childish innocence but also developing knowledge), or only children under 12 (because they are “pure” and “uncorrupted”, or only the elderly (because they are “wise” and have much life experience). This could create a unique dynamic as candidates create campaign strategies based on their demographic, which could create some comedy, like offering a ban on timeouts or free lollipops everyday, or setting in place stricter quality laws on nursing homes.

If there is a ruler, what are the criteria for being a ruler. Do they have to be the strongest, the fastest, the bravest, etc. Do they have to be a certain race, species, or gender. Are they simply a puppet, or do they have autonomy?

If your government is corrupt, how so? Is there just the classic greed and power lust. Or is it something else, like a fungi virus or infection that takes over the rulers?

The first image is my favorite, the iconic oldowan hand axe, but you'll note there's a wide range of other tools crafted for everything from crushing nuts and stones, to awls and engraving devices. There is some evidence, albeit hotly debated, that these tools MIGHT have been used in ancient burials. Maybe. This is up for debate because these tools are THREE MILLION YEARS OLD. They pre date homo sapiens and homo erectus. They pre date the ice age. Hell, they pre date the fucking ice caps. We don't think humans were burying their dead as we understand it today, but maybe?? These were made by homo habilis, or the "handyman", so named for their invention of tools.

the fantasy is about being taken care of in a way where you have no choice in the manner so you don’t feel bad about it. So there’s no shame in wanting to be pampered because it’s not your fault. Psychological intimacy, not just physical closeness, it’s about feeling cared about, like you are safe in an objectively unsafe situation, the juxtaposition of endless affection with being locked in someone’s attic, the idea someone saw you and wanted to make you happy, saw your depressed ass and wanted to bathe you, to care for you, to make you feel special, even if you try and struggle away, you will be made to feel good, and soft, and loved, and that is a threat.

Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), family Trionychidae, found in mainland China and Taiwan