Reference · Blocks
The Culture block
A Culture is a people’s way of life — their values, taboos, religion, social order and customs. Sub-step 5 of the world, and one of the richest blocks: 73 fields across 10 sections. A strong core (society, values, taboos, hierarchy, religion, how they speak) grounds how a culture reads on the page; the deeper detail is yours to keep the culture coherent.
What’s on this page
- A culture profile grouped into Core · Important · Depth — 10 collapsible sections.
- The same add/enrich flow as the other entities (by hand, from synopsis, AI, or the Store).
- A completeness read-out that rewards the high-impact fields first.
How to use it
- 1Start with the core: society type, national idea, top values and taboos, hierarchy, religion, and how they speak.
- 2Add the deeper customs (rituals, material culture, law, relations) to make the culture vivid.
- 3A culture is optional — link it to a world (World → Culture ID) to ground that world’s people.
Adding cultures
Cultures are added and enriched like the other entities — “+ culture” opens the same Manual / From Store / AI options, and the ✦ AI button fleshes one out (see the Characters page for the shared flow). A culture is optional; link it to a world with the world’s Culture ID to ground that world’s people.
How to read the fields
The Culture block is deep, so each field says whether it’s fed to the writing, structural, or authoring reference.
Fed vs. reference. A curated core reaches every scene touched by the culture — its society, top values and taboos, hierarchy, religion (the sacred, death and the afterlife), how they speak, how they treat outsiders, and their economy. The rest — rituals, material culture, fine social detail — is authoring reference: kept for your consistency, not injected into each scene’s prompt. Not wasted: it keeps the culture coherent, and you can fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Every field
All 73 fields, by section. The Depth sections are mostly reference.
System / General
Identity and the shape of the society.
Culture Name
canon_name · textThe culture’s name.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Enabled
sys_enabled · toggleWhether this culture is active.
AffectsStructural — organizes your project; it doesn’t directly change the prose.
Society Type
cult_society_type · textWhat kind of society it is.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
National Idea
cult_national_idea · textThe idea that binds the people.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Development Phase
cult_phase · textWhere the culture is in its arc (rising, peak, decline).
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Tech Level (1–10)
cult_tech_level · numberTechnology level (1 stone age, 10 space age).
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Values & Taboos
What the culture prizes and forbids — the engine of its moral conflicts.
Value 1
cult_value_1 · textThe culture’s foremost value.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Value 2
cult_value_2 · textA second core value.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Value 3
cult_value_3 · textA third core value.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Taboo 1
cult_taboo_1 · textThe gravest taboo.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Taboo 2
cult_taboo_2 · textA second taboo.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Taboo 3
cult_taboo_3 · textA third taboo.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Honor
cult_honor · textWhat earns honor.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Shame
cult_shame · textWhat brings shame.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Truth
cult_truth · textThe culture’s stance on truth and deceit.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Worldview
How the culture sees the world and time.
Origin Myth
cult_origin_myth · textareaThe story of how the people came to be.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Hero Image
cult_hero_image · textWhat a hero looks like to them.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Mood
cult_mood · textThe culture’s prevailing mood.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Time Concept
cult_time_concept · textHow they conceive of time.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
World Image
cult_world_image · textHow they picture the cosmos.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Attitude to Innovation
cult_innovation · textHow they treat new ideas.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Social Structure
How the society is ordered.
Hierarchy
cult_hierarchy · textThe social pyramid.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Status Source
cult_status_source · textWhere status comes from.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Family Model
cult_family_model · textHow families are structured.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Gender Roles
cult_gender · textHow gender roles work.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Elder Status
cult_elder_status · textThe place of elders.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Marginals
cult_marginals · textThe outcasts and outsiders.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Labor
cult_labor · textHow work is divided.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Religion & Rituals
The sacred, and the rites that mark life.
Supernatural
cult_supernatural · textHow the unseen world works.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Death
cult_death · textWhat death means to them.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Afterlife
cult_afterlife · textWhat comes after death.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Birth Ritual
cult_rit_birth · textThe rite of birth.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Initiation Ritual
cult_rit_init · textThe rite of coming of age.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Marriage Ritual
cult_rit_marriage · textThe rite of marriage.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Funeral Ritual
cult_rit_funeral · textThe rite of death.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Holiday
cult_holiday · textA key holiday.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Holiday Description
cult_holiday_desc · textareaWhat that holiday involves.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Sacred Symbol
cult_sacred_sym · textThe culture’s sacred symbol.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Sacred Animal
cult_sacred_animal · textThe culture’s sacred animal.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
External Relations
How the culture deals with outsiders and war.
Xenophobia
cult_xeno · textHow they treat outsiders.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
War
cult_war · textTheir stance on war.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
War Methods
cult_war_methods · textHow they fight.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Prisoners
cult_prisoners · textHow they treat captives.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Trade
cult_trade · textWhat and how they trade.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Borrowings
cult_borrowing · textWhat they’ve adopted from others.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Allies
cult_allies · textTheir allies.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Enemies
cult_enemies · textTheir enemies.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Power & Law
AdvancedHow power is held and justice done.
Power Source
cult_power_source · textWhere authority comes from.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Justice
cult_justice · textHow justice works.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Punishment
cult_punishment · textHow crimes are punished.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Negotiation
cult_negotiation · textHow disputes are settled.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Conflict Resolution
cult_conflict_res · textHow internal conflict is resolved.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Communication & Folklore
AdvancedHow they speak — a strong lever on dialogue.
Formality
cult_formality · textHow formal speech is.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Speech Norms
cult_speech · textThe texture of how they talk.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Greeting
cult_greeting · textHow they greet.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Humor
cult_humor · textWhat they find funny.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Folklore
cult_folklore · textareaTheir tales and legends.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Storyteller
cult_storyteller · textWho keeps the stories.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Material Culture
AdvancedThe made world — mostly authoring reference.
Architecture
cult_architecture · textHow they build.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Clothing
cult_clothing · textWhat they wear.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Music
cult_music · textTheir music.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Writing System
cult_writing · textHow they write.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Cuisine
cult_cuisine · textWhat they eat.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Food Rituals
cult_food_rituals · textHow meals work.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Dwellings
cult_dwelling · textWhere they live.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Body Modifications
cult_body_mods · textScars, tattoos, and the like.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Key Technology
cult_key_tech · textA defining technology.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Transport
cult_transport · textHow they get around.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Hygiene
cult_hygiene · textTheir habits of cleanliness.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Leisure
cult_leisure · textWhat they do for fun.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Economy
AdvancedHow wealth works.
Economy
cult_economy · textHow the economy works.
AffectsFed to the writing — shapes how the culture reads in a scene.
Wealth Symbol
cult_wealth_sym · textWhat signals wealth.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.
Attitude to Nature
cult_nature · textHow they relate to nature.
AffectsAuthoring reference — kept for your own consistency, but not injected into every scene’s prompt (the writing draws on a curated core so prompts stay focused). Fold anything crucial into a fed field.