Many fantasy settings borrow from real-world cultures for aesthetics, but stop short of exploring how different worldviews shape thought, emotion, and morality.
In this concise talk, we’ll go beyond the surface to examine how culture functions as a shared system of meaning. Drawing from pedagogy, anthropology, and Chinese media like Yanxi Palace and Minglan, we’ll explore how to write cultures where characters don’t think like modern Westerners—and how to portray agency, conflict, and values within those systems.
We’ll also discuss how to make these worlds accessible and engaging for modern players—curving back to emotional resonance, clarity of stakes, and audience empathy. Whether you’re a GM, designer, or writer, this session offers practical tools for writing respectful, immersive, and narratively rich cultures that challenge assumptions without alienating your audience.